American found with 58 ganja plants ordered deported

An American citizen, who was found with 58 ganja plants in Westgate Hills, Montego Bay, earlier this month, has been ordered deported.

Presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small made the order after 46-year-old Kevin Duffus, of a New York address, was brought to court for possession of more than five pounds of ganja, cultivating ganja plants, and staying beyond his stipulated date of departure.

The court was told that on May 18, the police, acting on information, went to premises at Westgate Hills, where Duffus was found with 58 ganja plants. Further checks revealed that Duffus, who arrived in the island on May 22, 2017, should have departed from August 2017.

The court was told that Duffus is wanted by the US authorities on narcotics charge.

"Why are you here so long?" Wong-Small asked Duffus.

"I was in love," Duffus replied, prompting laughter in the court.

"So it has nothing to do with the charges that you have (in the US)?" asked Wong-Small.

"When I realised I had missed my court date, I was, like, 'Oh, well,'" Duffus answered casually.

Wong-Small ordered Duffus to pay a fine of $15,000 or spend three months in jail for possession of ganja; $45,000, or three months, for cultivating ganja; and $7,500, or three months, for overstaying.

"If the fines are not paid, the prison terms are to run concurrently. A deportation order is also made," said Wong-Small.