Trini drugmen jailed

Forty nine year old Lloyd Quamina and forty three year old Arnold Joseph of Trinidad received four year sentences Tuesday when they appeared before the High Court on a drug charge. {{more}}

The Trinidadians were arrested after Local coast guard members intercepted a 28 ft Trinidadian pirogue on Thursday 9 December. The boat, equipped with two 200 HP Yahama engines, was intercepted at Lowmans Bay on Thursday 9th December, last year and two hundred and ninety six pounds of marijuana were seized.

The Trinidadians pleaded guilty when they appeared before the Serious Offences Court on December 10, and Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman sent the matter on to the High Court for sentencing.

The men were charged with Trinidadian Dominique Bengochea who pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When Quamina and Joseph appeared before the High Court for their sentencing Tuesday, their lawyer Samantha Robertson, said they cooperated with the police and pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

She asked that a financial penalty be imposed on the men as opposed to a custodial penalty. However, presiding Judge, Justice Louise Blenman thought otherwise.

Meanwhile, Benchochea is awaiting his fate at the Serious Offences Court.