Woman sells ganja to care for children

A woman who was caught selling ganja and uncustomed cigarettes begged for leniency when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Friday, claiming she was only trying to care for her three children.

The accused, Annette Joseph, pleaded guilty to breaches of the Customs Act and possession of, and dealing in ganja. She went on to explain that she has been facing a particularly difficult time, which forced her to engage in the illegal activity.

"Me mother just dead of cancer and she leave the shop with me. Me have three kids and them father dead. I don't want to sell weed and so on, but I don't have any help. I applied for help from the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education, but I don't get through," she pleaded.

After hearing out the accused, Chief Parish Judge, Judith Pusey, advised her, "You can't sell drugs and feed your kids. I don't want those things to get in them bones and make them feel like it's something they should do too. Go plant callaloo".

She then handed down her sentencing. Joseph was fined $1,250 or 30 days for possession of ganja, $2,500 for dealing in ganja, and $3,700 for breaches of the Customs Act.

Josephs expressed gratitude to the judge and advised she will not engage in the illegal activity again.