A Jamaican national who ran from Antiguan authorities and then locked himself inside a bedroom in a bid to discard ganja, was fined EC$5000 when he appeared in court last week.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the accused was ordered to a pay the fine after pleading guilty to cannabis possession when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh.

According to www.caribarena.com, On October 3, Byron Spence was spotted in a yard while lawmen, were executing a search warrant at the home of a Yorks Village resident.

Police reports are that when Spence saw the lawmen approaching, he ran and locked himself in a bedroom.

THE STAR gathered that after several failed attempts to get the man to open the door, the officers were forced to break it down.

Further reports are that a quantity of compressed marijuana was lying on the bedroom floor.

Court documents alleged that Spence referred to the weed as 'winner,' and told the police, "Ah dis me come in to get rid of, but me nuh get to do it in time."

In an attempt to justify his actions, the defendant added, "Me apply for me work permit, so in the meantime, me a try a little thing."

Spence was asked to pay a fine of EC$5,000 for being in possession of cannabis or spend two years in jail, after which he would be deported.

- A.W.