Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A St. James fisherman who accepted ganja in exchange for money owed to him by a customer was fined $3,000 in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's on Wednesday.

Patrick Hibbert pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing in ganja.

The accused, who had nine ounces of ganja in the trunk of his car, drew laughter from the court when he told RM Winsome Henry, "A man did owe mi some money fi some fish and him couldn't pay me so him give me the weed" and said he intended to smoke it.

He was fined $1,200 or 30 days for possession and $1,800 or 30 days for dealing.

He was stopped, on May 25, during a police spot check in Rose Hall, when the substance was found.