From the Courts
October 15, 2010

Sentenced to four years for 105 lbs of marijuana

As a result of pleading guilty to possession of 105 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $55,000, 55-year-old David DeFreitas will spend the next four years in prison.{{more}}

Defreitas, unemployed, of South Rivers, appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, October 11, before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young.

The facts read in court stated that police went to Defreitas’ home to execute a search warrant. During the search, eight large taped packages and a plastic bucket were found, which contained the illegal substance.

When cautioned, Defreitas replied: “Look at my condition, people would feel for me.”

Mitigating on his own behalf, the dreadlocked man begged Magistrate Young to spare him a prison sentence. “My worship don’t send me to prison. I have a bad hip bone,” Defreitas said, as he raised his pants and showed the court his injury.

Defreitas has had five similar convictions.

Young replied: “With this quantity of marijuana, I am not letting you pay a fine.”

Defreitas further explained that he used to receive poor relief assistance, but that was stopped. (KW)