The Tribune

A FATHER was sentenced to two years in prison, and his daughter to a year, after the pair were convicted in Magistrate’s Court of having $16,000 worth of cocaine.

While their co-accused and relative, 41-year-old Vanessa Laroda, walked free after being acquitted by Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell, 47-year-old Sherwin Laroda and 22-year-old Althemese Laroda were found guilty by the court.

Their attorney Ramona Farquharson-Seymour told The Tribune they intend to appeal the conviction and sentences.

She also expressed concern that the 22-year-old mother is nursing a four-month-old child and is short on food supplies.

Althemese Laroda and her parents faced a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, which they denied. It was claimed that on August 28, 2009 they were found in possession of two and a half pounds of cocaine.

According to evidence, police officers went to the Laroda home on Buttonwood Street, Pinewood Gardens with a search warrant. They used force to enter.

After showing the warrant to Sherwin Laroda, whom officers found in the laundry room along with his daughter, officers searched the house.

They found $5,070 in US and Bahamian currency along with a plastic bag in a waste basket containing 10 bags of cocaine. Seven of the ten plastic bags contained cocaine rocks while three contained cocaine powder. The drugs were estimated to be worth $16,000.