A plantain chip vendor who said he felt like smoking a joint was on Monday sentenced to two years jail and fined $5000 after he pleaded guilty to the charge of possession, in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
According to the facts of the case, on February 4, at Croal Street, George Chase was found smoking cannabis.
Chase, who was unrepresented by counsel, pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking when Magistrate Judy Latchman read it to him. He also offered an explanation for his actions.
The accused said he had just finished eating some plantain chips and felt like burning a “joint.” “Is nah no big, big joint, is a small joint,” he said.
Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt told the court that on the said day, around 10.45am, Constable Forde was on patrol duty when he saw the defendant sitting on a bench on America Street smoking. He said that Chase had something in his hand that appeared to be a wrapped cigarette.
Hunt said that Forde walked up to Chase, opened the item and found what he suspected to be cannabis. Chase was then told of the offence and arrested. The prosecutor said the accused had no previous antecedents.
Chase, however, told the court that he was once charged with wounding in Berbice but that the matter had been dismissed.
After listening to submissions, the magistrate sentenced and fined Chase.
