Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

western bureau

A St Thomas coffee farmer, caught on a public transportation with two pounds of ganja, was fined $10,000 in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Carlton Graham pleaded guilty "with explanation" for possession and dealing in ganja, for which he was fined $3,700 and $6,400, respectively.

Graham was a passenger on a bus en route to Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, which was stopped by the Montego Bay police on March 8. Graham, who had a travelling bag with him, tried to leave the bag, but was told to take it from the bus.

The bag was searched and ganja weighing two pounds found. Under caution he said, "Officer, mi jus' a try a ting. Is my bag."

But Graham had an explanation. "Me have two baby mothers, Your Honour, and mi did bring some clothes to the one in Westmore-land," he said.

He said while in Westmoreland, a man approached him and said he would give him a "small draw fi carry (the bag) back a St Thomas".

The 'small draw' may land him in jail for 30 days, if he is unable to pay the fines.