3 years jail for less than an ounce ganja; accomplice fined $5,000

Shem Winter, a 21-year-old barber of Tabatinga, Central Rupununi in Region Nine was sentenced to three years imprisonment and slapped with a $10,000 fine for the possession of 16 grams (0.6 ounces) of marijuana while his 29-year-old accomplice, Lester ‘Monkey’ George, was sentenced to three months community service and fined $5,000 for five grams (0.1 ounces).

The men pleaded guilty to the charges when they appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Monday before Magistrate Allan Wilson.

Police Headquarters reported that Winter and George were arrested on November 27 after 21 grams of cannabis were found in their possession. The men were arrested at Tabatinga Village in a green Premio car (PRR 4548); ranks reportedly acted on information received and intercepted the car.

Police found two Ziploc bags in George’s pocket and a bulky transparent plastic bag was found in Winter’s crotch.