A St Catherine female who was held with over 500 pounds of ganja was fined more than $500,000 and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment when she appeared in court yesterday.

Simone Stewart of Ensom City, Spanish Town in St Catherine, was fined $15,000 or six months for possession and $500,000 or six months for dealing, plus a mandatory 18-month sentence.

The charges of conveyance, conspiracy and attempting to export were withdrawn by the Crown.

Allegations are that the accused was stopped in Ensom City by personnel from the Trans National Crime and Narcotic Division.

When the vehicle was searched, a number of parcels with ganja wrapped in masking tape were found.

Stewart was subsequently charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, conspiracy, conveyance of ganja and taking steps to export ganja.

She was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Dewar.

- R.T.