Sayers must pay $3000 for ganja

Richard Sayers, a 22-year-old mechanic of Owia, was fined $3,000 to be paid by November 30, failing which he can face a five month prison sentence.

This was the penalty laid down by Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman, at the Serious Offences Court where Sayers appeared last Tuesday and pleaded guilty.{{more}}

He was charged for having in his possession, one thousand and five pounds of cannabis on December 22, 2004, at Owia.

The court was told that about 5:30 p.m. police officers were patrolling the area in their vehicle when they saw the accused walking with a black bag in his hand. The police testified that when Sayers realized it was the Police, he dropped the bag and ran.

The officers pursued a chase but their attempts were futile, as Sayers jumped over an embankment and into the sea, where he escaped in a boat.

Under cross-questioning Sayers claimed that a friend had given him the bag to carry down from the mountain.

Sayers later decided to turn himself in and was arrested and charged.

Lawyer Ronald Marks represented the accused in the matter.