Three narcotic traffickers who were nabbed by police during a drug suppression exercise in Mayaro last Friday were fined a total of $7,700, Monday.
The trio all pleaded guilty and were fined by Senior Magistrate Ava Vandenburg-Bailey at the Mayaro Magistrates’ Court. They were all given three months to pay or face prison time.
In the first matter, MARCUS JEREMIAH FRANCIS, 24, of Union Village Rio Claro, was fined $4,500 or in default will have to serve nine months hard labour.
FRANCIS was held for being in possession of 40 grammes marijuana, a scale and $27 on his person.
Following enquiries, he was charged on June 9th with Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking by WPC Charles of the Mayaro Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
In the second matter, KEVON SMITH, 34, of no fixed place of abode, who was detained after detectives found 28 grammes of marijuana, a scale and $307 on his person, was fined $2,000. SMITH would serve four months hard labour if he fails to pay the fine.
He was charged on June 9th by PC Mohammed with Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose following further investigations.
In the last matter, SYLVESTER FRASER, 59, of Rest House Village, Mayaro, was fined $1,200 or in default serve three months hard labour.
FRASER was arrested and charged on June 9th by PC Joseph, of the Mayaro CID, for the offence of Possession of 28 Grammes of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking.
He was also found to be in possession of a scale and $300 on his person.
The operation was led by Sgt Mohammed of the Mayaro CID and included personnel of the Mayaro Police Station and PCs Ramlogan and Dopwell with Police Canines Apollo and Edoo of the Mounted and Canine Branch.