Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A lifeguard who confessed to selling ganja to supplement his income could find himself giving free swimming lessons as community service.

Dwayne Smith of Tucker, St James, pleaded guilty to the charges of possession and dealing in ganja before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Smith told the court that he only works two days per week and this is not enough to sustain his expenses. According to him, he sells drinks from a stall, and on the day of his arrest, a friend gave him the contraband to sell.

Allegations are that the investigating officer was walking in the Tucker area when he saw the accused man at a stall. A search of the stall turned up 41 small parcels of ganja in a bag.

When cautioned Smith allegedly said, "Boss, the diving alone can't do it, mi a try eat a food."

He was granted $10,000 bail in his own surety and is scheduled for sentencing on September 11.

In the meantime, a social enquiry report is to be prepared by the probation office, to ascertain where the accused can do community service hours.