(Jamaica Gleaner) Two men who were caught cultivating ganja in Trelawny three years ago and told police investigators it was for research have pleaded guilty to drug charges.
Businessman Mark Green, 51, and Gary Perry, a 54-year-old farmer, both from Duncans, in the parish, both pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in and cultivating ganja when they appeared in the Trelawny Parish Court on Thursday, the police Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) has revealed.
According to CCU, they were formally charged the same day following a ruling from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The two were granted bail, each in the amount of $400,000, and are to return to court for sentencing on April 25.
Green and Perry were originally arrested on March 4, 2016 after the apprehended cultivating ganja on an acre of land in Hyde district.
The Narcotics Police say along with the plants they found 88 bags of compressed ganja in a hut on the farm.
The police say during an interview the men told detectives they were growing the ganja for research and “produced documents.”
They were released while the investigation continued.
The police the case was referred to the ODPP after it was discovered that neither Green nor Perry had a licence to possess ganja.
The Narcotics Police say the case should serve as a warning to persons not to use, cultivate, deal or transport ganja without the requisite permits.
“If caught, they will be arrested and prosecuted,” the police warned.