REGGAE STAR ARRESTED

A recommendation was made on Tuesday for the deportation of International Reggae star, Eric Donaldson, after facing a marijuana charge here but this request by Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman was not granted by the Immigration Department.

The 58-year-old songbird appeared before the Chief Magistrate at the Serious Offences Court, Kingstown on Tuesday, for having in his possession 12 grams of cannabis. His day in court stemmed from an arrest on Sunday, July 31 at 8:12 a.m. while he was leaving the E.T Joshua Airport for Grenada where he was slated to do a show.{{more}}

Donaldson was also fined EC$125 which if he failed to pay, he would serve seven days in prison.

The well known artiste’s brush with the law took place just hours after delivering a magnificent performance at the P’Tani Resort, Argyle, where he was the featured act.

Standing before Chief Magistrate Churaman, the artiste who hails from Kent Village, Jamaica, pled guilty with an explanation.

The police prosecution told Chief Magistrate Churaman, Donaldson had checked in at the Immigration and was going through security when eight wrapped papers containing the illegal drug were found in his pocket.

He was taken to the Narcotics Division where the material was checked in his presence.

Lawyer, Ronald Marks, appearing on behalf of Donaldson, told Chief Magistrate Churaman, that in administering a penalty she must take into consideration that the quantity of the drug was quite small and the fact that his client had no previous conviction in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

He also asked her to take into consideration the tremendous amount of income his client had lost while in custody.

Marks said following the concert early Sunday morning Donaldson and his friends had a get together where they mentioned “they had a little bit of marijuana there.”

He said when Donaldson awoke later that morning, in a rush he mistakenly took up a bandanna that had the drug in it.

“This is carelessness more than anything else,” said Marks, adding that his client was very remorseful.

Marks’ plea to Churaman that Donaldson not be deported was futile.

The Chief Magistrate said possession of the illegal drug at the airport was a very serious one hence she was recommending deportation.

Donaldson has visited St.Vincent and the Grenadines on numerous occasions to do shows, including the Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines pageant. He was released in Marks’ care on Tuesday afternoon, following which he left for Grenada.