Canadian woman fined for bringing in cannabis

A $20 000 fine was imposed on a Canadian woman who imported almost $100 000 worth of marijuana into Barbados last week.

Dahlia Aneese Williams, of No. 1990 Whites Road, Pickering, Ontario, had to pay the sum imposed by Magistrate Elwood Watts forthwith to avoid spending the alternative of 18 months in prison at Dodds. However, it was not immediately paid and she was sent to the St Philip penal institution.

For the offences of possession of 12.4 kilogrammes of cannabis, she was convicted, reprimanded and discharged. The same sentence was imposed on her for the charges of intent to supply and trafficking.

Williams arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on March 24 and was sent to customs officials for her bags to be searched.

Sergeant Victoria Taitt, who read the facts before the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court located at St Matthias, said that during the search, 33 vacuum-sealed packages containing the drug were found among her clothing in a suitcase.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $99 200.