Penny Smith, the Leopold Street woman who was allegedly found with 17 grammes of cocaine hidden in a plastic bag at her Werk-en-Rust home, was yesterday sentenced to four years in prison after she was found guilty of possession of cocaine for trafficking by a city court.
In addition to the jail time, the 54-year-old woman, who appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, will have to pay a fine of $45,300.
On July 30, Smith appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and related that she was assaulted by the police ranks who searched her home. Smith told the court that the police had found no cocaine in her possession, but rather, had tried to retrieve a quantity of $5,000 and $1,000 notes, which she had hidden in her underwear.
The prosecution, however, stated that when the police arrived at Smith’s home, she was holding a black plastic bag which they later discovered contained narcotics. She was arrested and charged.