A Jamaican chef, who swallowed 54 packages of marijuana, was jailed for 18 months today, after he failed to come up with payment for a $15 000 forthwith fine imposed on him by Chief Magistrate Pamela Beckles.
Mark Anthony Myers, 36, of #6 Duquesang Avenue, Red Hill Road, Kingston, admitted to the possession, trafficking, intent to supply and importation of 1.5lbs of cannabis on June 8.
Station Sergeant Rudolph Burnett in outlining the facts of the case, said Myers came to Barbados on a flight from Jamaica and was stopped by police at the airport, after he cleared immigration.
He was interviewed there on suspicion of having ingested drugs and was taken to Oistins Police Station where he was interviewed further.
While there, Myers confessed to having swallowed drugs and agreed to a medical examination. He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he passed the packages during his one-week detention there.
Today, Chief Magistrate Beckles imposed the fine for importing the cannabis and convicted, reprimanded and discharged him on the three other counts.
Myers explained to the court that he had two very young children, ages six and three months, and had brought the marijuana here to sell so he could help support them.
Either on payment of the fine or after serving the time, the convicted man will be handed over to immigration officials.