Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A St James shopkeeper who gave two different explanations for having one pound of ganja in his shop, was fined $4,800 in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, last Thursday.

Dennis Sinclair, from Lilliput, pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing in ganja, which had been packaged in 125 parcels.

The court heard that on June 22, the investigating officer visited Sinclair's shop with a search warrant. The shop was searched and the ganja found. Sinclair was arrested.

"What are you doing with one pound of ganja?" Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry asked Sinclair.

"I use it to make medicine for arthritis," said Sinclair.

"I think you are definitely a dealer. If you had it for medicinal purposes, it would be a smaller amount," RM Henry said tartly.

"I just got it, because somebody left it (in the shop) and I had to take ownership for it," replied Sinclair, changing his explanation.

RM Henry subsequently fined Sinclair $1,600 or three months for possession and $3,200 or three months for dealing.