Shopkeeper fined $50,000 for ganja

A St James shopkeeper who pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing ganja, after four and three-quarter pounds of the herb was found at his business place, was fined $50,000 when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

The penalty was imposed on Rohan Holt, of an Anchovy address.

The court was told that on June 29, at 3:20 p.m., the investigating officer acted on information and went to Holt's shop in Anchovy with a search warrant. The shop's kitchen area was searched, including in a fridge and under a sink, and three bags with vegetable matter resembling ganja were found.

Under caution, Holt said, "Officer, mi a good youth, mi nuh give nuh trouble," and he was arrested and charged, along with a woman who was also at the premises and made no statement during her arrest.

During Wednesday's proceedings, the court was told that the prosecution would not be proceeding against Holt's female co-defendant, as he was taking sole responsibility for the shop and the ganja. As a result, a no-evidence motion was made on the woman's behalf and she was freed.

Following that motion, presiding Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley ordered Holt to pay a fine of $20,000 or spend 30 days in prison for possession of ganja, and $30,000 or 30 days for dealing in ganja.