Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A St James man who tried to smuggle ganja out of Jamaica in wooden carvings were sent to prison for six months despite his plea for compassion.

Kemar Fraser, 23, was sentenced on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to possession, dealing in and attempting to export ganja before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

Fraser, from Bickersteth, St James, was arrested and charged on March 15 after six carton boxes he checked in on an Air Jamaica flight to Barbados were searched and pieces of wood carvings containing a total of 13 pounds of ganja found.

He begged RM Winsome Henry to exercise leniency as this was his first time ever getting in trouble with the law and said he was trying to open a business to make life better for his two children and their mother.

"Your Honour somebody did tell mi seh carving sell nuff in Barbados so mi seh mi woulda try sell some and decide fi carry some weed because if mi mek this one trip and get some money wi woulda able fi start a lickle business and try mek life nice fi mi children them," Fraser said.

However, RM Henry said she had to impose a custodial sentence because of the quantity of the contraband.

Fraser was also fined $15,000 for possession of ganja and $70,000 for attempting to export. If the fines are not paid, he will serve an additional six months.