Nicaraguan fishermen found with drugs slapped with several fines

The four Nicaraguan fishermen who were found with 1200 pounds of Ganja by the coastguard in September, were all slapped with several fines when they appeared in court on Tuesday. 

They have been identified as 31-year-old Kenroy Hibbert, 19-year-old Andy Garth, 34-year-old Owen Blackwood and 39-year-old Derrick Johnson, all from Pearl Lagoon in Nicaragua.

According to the Savanna-la-Mar police, about 11:45 p.m. on September 26, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coastguard intercepted two fishing boats off the coast of Little Bay in Negril, Westmoreland. 

The men were taken into police custody after the illegal drug was found. They were charged following a question-and-answer session in the presence of their attorney.

They were fined as follows:

Possession of Ganja - $15, 00.000 or 3-months imprisonment, dealing in Ganja - $800,000 fine or six-months imprisonment, trafficking Ganja – 12-months imprisonment at hard labour. 

The sentences will run concurrently if the fines are not paid - the men will be deported to Nicaragua upon completion of their sentences.

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