By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Court Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO American tourists admitted in Magistrate’s Court yesterday to separate drug offences while on vacation in Nassau.
Michelle Lustman, 42, of New Jersey, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs.
Lustman was arrested around 12.36pm on November 27 at LPIA after a search of her luggage uncovered ten marijuana-infused gummies. She was attempting to return home. These drugs had a collective weight of 2oz and estimated street value of $200. In a subsequent police interview, Lustman admitted to the offence.
She pleaded guilty to the offence in court.
Her attorney said the tourist is a mother of three who is remorseful for her actions and has no prior criminal history. In addition to citing that her husband was in court and that both are heavily involved in charity work with intentions to help the the less fortunate here, the defence asked the court to be lenient in its sentencing.
In view of this, Magistrate McKinney placed the accused on six months’ probation for which being found in default would carry a $500 fine or two months in prison.
The other defendant, Joseph Harris, 50, of Florida, also stood before Magistrate McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs.
On November 26 on Bay Street, after disembarking from his cruise ship, Harris was arrested after he was found with several homemade marijuana joints. The confiscated drugs had a weight of 5g and a street value of $25.
During his police interview, the accused admitted that the drugs were for his own personal use and subsequently pleaded guilty in court.
Harris further told the Magistrate that the offence was due to negligence on his part.
Magistrate McKinney then bound the accused over to keep the peace for six months with any further breaches in this jurisdiction resulting in a $300 fine or one month in custody.
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