TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Maurice Thomas was fined $739,000 or six months imprisonment in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. He will also serve a mandatory 12- month sentence.
Thomas was charged along with three other men, including a St. Martin national, for possession, dealing and taking steps to export marijuana. Thomas pleaded guilty to the offences while the others pleaded not guilty. If he fails to pay the fines, the six-month sentence will run concurrent but consecutive to the mandatory sentence. Thomas' lawyer pleaded for lenience saying Thomas' community profile was good and that his social enquiry report showed he was a promising youth.
It is alleged that the four men conspired to export a total of 32 kilograms (70 lb.) of the illicit drug to St. Maarten. The four, Thomas, Warren Graham, Andre Harvey and Kenrick Vanderpool, were arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport on Wednesday October 26.
Reports are that on the same day, around 11 a.m., Thomas was seen at the BWIA check point with a black suitcase. The bag was searched and a quantity of compressed marijuana was found.
Thomas told the police that he was given the bag by Harvey who paid him $40,000 to take it to the BWIA check point. He reportedly also pointed out Graham and Vanderpool as people who had accompanied him to the airport. Investigations reveal that Graham, Thomas and Harvey travelled together in one car, while Vanderpool drove another and took the suitcase.
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