Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday sentenced a 57–year-old Thomas Street man to three years imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine after he was found with cocaine in his pants pocket while playing a game of cards.
Edgar Vanderstoop who pleaded guilty to the offence was accused of having two grammes of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking last Sunday.
The magistrate stressed to the accused the seriousness of the offence while stating that the minimum sentence for the charge is three years imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine while the maximum is five years.
In narrating the facts Prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that on the day in question, ranks from the CID were on patrol at about 16:00 hrs in the North Road area when they observed the accused and two others playing cards. He added that the men were approached by the police ranks and a search was conducted on their person and the cocaine was discovered in the pants pocket of the accused. Harvey further stated that the man was later arrested and charged.
The accused pleaded with the court: “I beg you for a lenient sentence… please give me community service.”
