Man leads cops more than a mile to marijuana farm

While noting the seriousness of the offences brought before her, senior magistrate Tamia Richards, June 12, ordered Alson Quashie remanded after the 56-year-old farmer pleaded guilty to cultivating 220 marijuana plants in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Quashie, a native of St Vincent and the Grenadines, also pleaded guilty to being in possession of 78.3 grams of marijuana.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to a third charge – possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply to another.

The prosecution alleged that, after the accused was nabbed this month, he told police that he sells marijuana, keeps some for personal use, and gives some away.

Reports are that, about 5:40 a.m. on June 9, police – while acting on intelligence – executed a search warrant at Quashie’s Carrot Bay residence.

During the search, law enforcers reportedly recovered quantities of marijuana in the house, including behind Quashie’s refrigerator and on his bed.

When cautioned in relation to the find, Quashie reportedly said: “That is marijuana.”

And when question further, the farmer responded: “I plant them in my garden.”

It is reported that the accused man then willingly led police to an uphill farm, located just over a mile away from his residence.

Police reportedly discovered the 220 marijuana plants at the farm.

Law enforcers then discovered a wooden hut a short distance away, and checks inside the structure uncovered more marijuana, as well as marijuana seeds.

The farmer told police that the aforementioned items also belonged to him, the court heard.

He was arrested.

During a subsequent police interview, Quashie allegedly claimed that he has been farming marijuana for last 10 years.

Meanwhile, after hearing the allegations, senior magistrate Richards told the court: “Cultivation of 220 plants; that’s a lot of cannabis… The cultivation of cannabis is very serious so he (Quashie) will be remanded.”

Quashie will return to court on July 14.

(BVI Online News)