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18 months jail for man who admits to having $40k of drugs

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having $40,000 worth of marijuana in his home in Acklins last Friday.

Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms arraigned Edrick Newton, 34, and Arabella Lightbourne, 34, on charges of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs.

The couple were reportedly found with 40 pounds of marijuana at their Salina Point residence around 2am on August 23. During the drug bust, an additional gram of marijuana was seized along with $313 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Newton was the sole defendant to plead guilty to both charges, while Lightbourne pleaded not guilty.

Newton was sentenced to 18 months in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and was ordered to pay a fine of $15,000 or face an additional six months in prison.

The money confiscated in this incident will remain forfeited to the Crown.

Lightbourne’s bail was set at $9,900 with one or two sureties. She must sign in at the Salina Point Police Station every Wednesday by 6pm.

Her trial is scheduled to begin on September 13.

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