A machinist from England was sentenced to six months imprisonment at hard labour for attempting to export ganja out of the island.

Rudolph Francis, 52 of London , England was held with 4.5kgs (10lb) of ganja at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Allegations are that Francis checked in to board a flight to London when his luggage was searched and the weed was found in his suitcase. He was arrested and charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and taking steps to export ganja.

Set up

His attorney argued that his client was set up because the illegal drug was found concealed in foil paper in his suitcase. he added that his client had lived in England all his life and never got into any trouble. He said the package was given to his client by a cousin who asked him to take it for a relative abroad.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown did not grant the attorney's pleas for a non-custodial sentence. Francis was fined $15,000 or six months for possession and admonished and discharged for dealing in ganja. In addition, he was fined $45,000 or six months for taking steps to export ganja and also sentenced to six months imprisonment at hard labour.