News

Rasta claims ruin - after cops cut his 'locks'

By PAUL A. REID, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

A 49-YEAR-old 'dreadlocks' from a Handsworth, Birmingham, England address whose 'locks' were cut off by police to get to 0.56kg (1lbs. 3.67 ounces) of cocaine that was hidden there when he was arrested at the Sangster International Airport on February 10, told the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court it was like cutting off his hand.

Michael Grant, a senior member of the 'Nyah Binghi' order of the Rastafarian sect who the court heard has traveled extensively between Jamaica, England and Ethiopia where he hoped to eventually settle, said the police cutting off his locks was the "ultimate disgrace" and that he was "totally humiliated."

Resident Magistrate Ms. Valrie Stephens who presided over the sentencing told Grant however "If you treasured your locks, you would never defile it by placing that poison in there."

He was fined $250,000 and sentenced to 15 months in prison and was also fined $2,500 for just over five ounces of ganja that was found on him which he said was for personal use.

Mr. Reid told the court however that after his arrest, he had become a virtual pariah as his actions and dealing with cocaine was "totally unacceptable and had caused great shame and disgrace on his family and community both here and in England."

Mr Reid produced letters from his family in England one of which said he "had ruined his credibility as a Rastaman."

The attorney told the court that his client, a father of nine, had resigned himself to his fate of going to prison and was "at peace with himself as he knew every action had a reaction" but said the cutting of his locks by the police was the worst that could happen to him.

Grant was fined $75,000 or six months on the charges of possession of and dealing in cocaine and $100,000 or six months on the charge of taking steps to export cocaine. He will serve a mandatory term of 15 months but will serve another 18 months if the fines are not paid.

He was also fined $500 or 10 days for possession of the ganja and $2,000 or 30 days for taking steps to export but was admonished and discharged for dealing in ganja.

Grant was getting ready to board a flight to Manchester on February 10 at the Sangster International Airport at around 4:30 p.m. when he was searched and the drugs found on him and his luggage.

The ganja was found among other herbal items including cerasee while the cocaine was found in his locks.