Woman gets suspended sentence for ganja offences

A woman was given a suspended sentence for drug-related offences when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Ayesha Burford pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export ganja. The court heard that on October 18, 2020, police attached to the Canine Division were conducting searches at the Norman Manley International Airport. A canine alerted them to a luggage belonging to Burford, which was searched. Nearly 70 pounds of ganja, with a value of nearly J$1 million, was found under articles of clothing. It was also reported that Burford was paid US$5,000 to transport the drugs.

After hearing the allegations and a submission from her lawyer for a favourable sentence, Chief Parish Judge Chester Crooks noted that the charge for taking steps to export carried a mandatory sentence of imprisonment. He also chastised drug couriers for not thinking beyond their own selfish purpose.

Burford was fined $10,000 or serve six months imprisonment for possession of ganja and was ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 or six months imprisonment and 12 months imprisonment at hard labour for taking steps to export ganja. She was admonished and discharged on the charge of dealing in ganja. A teary-eyed Burford pleaded with the judge.

"There is no going around it, I was being selfish and I now know I have to live with that. The one year is understandable but with all honesty, I don't need one year to learn from my mistakes," she pleaded.

Crooks then suspended Burford's sentence for three years and advised her to stay out of trouble. She will also be subjected to a supervision order for two years. A fingerprint order was made.