Magistrate Fazil Azeez yesterday jailed a man for three years and fined him $30,000 after the man changed his plea and admitted to having 140 grammes of ganja for trafficking last year.
Troy Atto of Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara had initially denied the charge when he was brought before the magistrate at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court during last year.
He was charged with having 140 grammes of the drug in his possession for the purpose of trafficking at Pouderoyen on May 5 last year and his trial was ongoing. Some testimony had already been taken and yesterday Police Constable Crawford had been set to give his evidence when Atto indicated that he would like to change his plea.
He was allowed to do so. In admitting to the deed, he pleaded for the magistrate to be lenient with him but the magistrate noted the penalties for such offences and handed him the sentence.