The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO Jamaican women who were caught with nearly $10,000 worth of marijuana were each fined $4,000 yesterday.

Police arrested Tarcy Shields, 43, and Nicole Russell, 44, after they found them with $9,555 worth of Indian hemp on November 26.

The prosecution argued the accused imported the drugs into the country on the day in question and conspired to import and possess the drugs sometime between November 20 and 26. They also alleged Shields and Russell had plans to sell the drugs in the country.

The court was told around 2.41pm on November 26, officers on mobile patrol, acting on information, went to Kennedy Subdivision where they noticed the two defendants riding in a grey Honda in a suspicious manner.

As a result, they beckoned for the car to stop and informed Shields and Russell they would be searched in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms. When they searched the car, they found a box containing ziploc packages with over six pounds of suspected marijuana. Both defendants were subsequently arrested and transported to the Drug Enforcement Unit. In an interview with police they admitted picking the box up from a courier service, but denied having any knowledge of the drugs inside.

During the hearing, both women were represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told the magistrate his clients were “nothing more than the couriers” and insisted they were both extremely remorseful for their actions. He also stated that Shields was a mother-of-four while Russell had two children.

In response, Magistrate Forbes said the small role Shields and Russell were purported to have played did not excuse the conduct they were engaged in. He added the fact both defendants were mothers should have prompted them to make responsible decisions since they were supposed to be role models. As a result, he fined them $4,000 each and told them they would spend 15 months in prison if they failed to pay the fines.

In a separate incident, a teenager was fined $1,000 after police found him with over 100 ziploc bags containing suspected marijuana last week.

Trevor Mackey, 18, was charged with dangerous drugs possession with the intent to supply after he was found with a pound of Indian hemp on November 23.

The court was told officers on mobile patrol around 5.45pm that day, observed Mackey look in their direction before acting in a suspicious manner. As a result, they attempted to approach the defendant but he ran away. When the officers pursued Mackey, they observed him throw a bag into a nearby bush. When they retrieved and examined it, they discovered the illegal drugs.

During the hearing, Mackey pleaded guilty. After accepting his plea, Magistrate Forbes told him he should find something more constructive to do since most people in the drug business ended up dead or incarcerated. He subsequently ordered the defendant pay a $1,000 fine or spend one year behind bars.