St Catherine woman fined for marijuana

Michelle Black, who was caught attempting to export marijuana to Antigua, told the court that she was promised US$10,000 ($710,000) to do the deed.

The court heard that while Black, who is of a St Johns Road, St Catherine address, was preparing to leave on a flight to Antigua, she was searched and 5.5 lb of ganja was found strapped to both of her thighs.

When she appeared in court, she told RM Brown that she had met someone through a friend of hers and this person had paid for her flight. She, however, said she did not know the person's name.

When RM Brown asked her if she wanted him to send her to jail, she simply replied, "I don't know, Sir." After a while and a few tears, she told the court that she had three children, aged 10, 16 and 19 years. "Mi have mi children dem sir", she said.

Black was fined $8,000 or six months in jail for possession, was admonished and discharged on the charge of dealing and was fined $24,000 or six months for attempting to export the drug. In addition, she will have to serve three months in jail. If the fines are not paid, she will serve nine months.