An American cruise passenger who had cannabis while on board the ship in the Bridgetown Port took a detour yesterday.
Instead of cruising, Christopher James Sarette, 31, will be spending a month here at HMP Dodds. Even if he had come up with the fines, the ship had already sailed.
Magistrate Douglas Frederick imposed two fines to be paid forthwith on Sarette, who pleaded guilty to two October 1 drug charges when he appeared before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court.
He was fined $750 for possession of marijuana and $1,000 for importing it. Both sentences carried an alternative of one month in jail.
Sarette, from 4314 Tewa Court, Las Cruces, New Mexico was a passenger on the Adventure of the Seas which was berthed at Bridgetown Port.
Sergeant Martin Rock said the Chief of Security saw Sarette smoking a spliff. He was held and the police called. When his cabin was searched, 14 grams more of cannabis was found.
He later told police he had bought it in St Lucia on September 30, just before coming to Barbados.
When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, the visitor said he had smoked some while in St Lucia and had done so again here, but had no idea it was against the law because no one had told him.