A Trinidadian-born man who was recently held with 3.97 kg (8.75lb) of ganja was sent to prison for the offence.

Trevor English, 25, who is of Jamaican parentage, said he had recently moved to Jamaica from Trinidad. He was seeking to board a flight to Trinidad when his luggage was searched and the ganja was found. He was arrested and charged with possession, dealing and taking steps to export ganja.

He appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to answer to the charges.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown ordered that the accused be fined $14,000 or six months for possession and admonished and discharged for dealing in ganja. He was also fined $40,000 or six months for taking steps to export ganja.

In addition, he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at hard labour. If the fines are not paid, the sentences are to run consecutively.