TT: Ganja not part of the local culture

A CITIZEN of the United States of America, resident in Tobago, was yesterday fined $10,000 for marijuana possession.

Lucy Goldstein, 47, of 192 Groove Street, California, who currently resides at 70 Isaac Drive, Bon Accord, Tobago, appeared before Senior Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim in the Port of Spain Magistrate's Fourth A Court yesterday.

She was charged on October 2 last year by Estate Constable Nolton Joseph of the Port Authority Police Department with possession of 270 grammes of marijuana (with a street value of $2,400) and had pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The court had heard that Goldstein was returning to Tobago and the marijuana, contained in a zip-lock bag, four other empty zip-lock bags and eight packs of black pepper were seized from her at the port.

Attorney Jawara Mobota represented Goldstein.

He pleaded on Goldstein's behalf, saying that she advanced the local culture abroad.

He said she was involved in the pan movement and hosted Phase II Pan Groove and other steel orchestras when they played abroad.

He also added that Goldstein so loved Trinidad that she was presently applying for citizenship and a conviction or custodial sentence would be to her disfavour.

To advance his argument, Mobota referred to the dealing of the Appeal Court with the case of another foreigner, Paul Jackman, whose fine was quashed and who was discharged.

Mobota asked the court that Goldstein, like Jackman, be taken under the court's wing.

Lee Kim was not convinced, however, and said that in Jackman's case he was very young and the quantity of marijuana was small.

Goldstein was an adult and has been so for some time now, she said, adding that Goldstein "must have known and appreciated that her actions had consequences".

Lee Kim took into consideration it was the first time Goldstein had appeared in court and then handed down the $10,000 fine.

Goldstein said she could pay the money immediately and the court ordered that she pay it forthwith or face three years' hard labour.

It really is not a good idea to be found with drugs in the Caribbean.