A Trinidadian man had to part with BD$30,000 yesterday, after the fine was imposed on him by Acting Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch at the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court.
Russell Philip Charles James pleaded guilty last week to possession, importation, trafficking and intent to supply 2.19 kilograms of cocaine on October 16.
Sergeant Azel Skeete told the court that police saw James along St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, pulling a suitcase. He began acting suspiciously when he saw police and they stopped him. He consented to a search and that was when lawmen realised that his suitcase carried a false bottom.
James apologised to the court yesterday, after explaining that a man here promised him money for bringing the cocaine into Barbados.
He was fined $15,000 each for importation and possession, while he was reprimanded and discharged for trafficking. He was also convicted, reprimanded and discharged for intending to supply the substance.
James was handed over to immigration officials for deportation. (SD)