A British national was sentenced on drug charges in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Gabriel Genesis, 42, from Haddersfield, West Yorkshire in England, pleaded guilty to possession, dealing and attempting to export 37 pounds of ganja.

Allegations are that about 4:05 p.m. on March 13, Genesis was about to board a British Airways flight to Manchester, England. His suitcase was searched and 13 packages containing ganja were found. He was later charged.

Adrian Dayes, Genesis' lawyer, told Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris that his client had limited culpability in the matter, as in April 2009, while visiting with relatives, he met individuals who promised him connections to a popular music studio.

Dayes said Genesis left his luggage with these individuals and had no agreement to transport any narcotics to England. Asking for leniency, he said Genesis had neither criminal character nor record.

Genesis was fined $10,000 or 30 days for possession, $70,000 or 30 days for dealing, and $150,000 or three months for attempted export ganja, plus a mandatory nine-month imprisonment.