A man who attempted to export a half pound of marijuana to Guyana by concealing it in the handle of his suitcase, and in 62 ingested pellets, did not get very far.

Rohan Dawkins, a 30-year-old tiler from Mineral Heights, Clarendon, was detained at the Norman Manley International Airport on March 2 after a search of his person and luggage revealed the hidden contraband. He later confessed to ingesting the drug and was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital for examination. While there, he expelled 62 pellets containing compressed ganja. He was arrested and charged.

When he appeared before RM Judith Pusey in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's court on Wednesday, Dawkins pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export marijuana. His lawyer pleaded for lenience on his behalf, telling the court that it was his first offence and also that he had a child that depended on him.

Dawkins was fined $2,400 or six months for possession, $4,800 or six months for dealing and $12,000 or six months for attempting to export the drug. In addition, he will also have to serve a mandatory six month sentence.