Man caught cutting up ‘veg matter’ in City busstand placed on bond

St James resident Rommel Orlando Jordan has been warned to stay out of trouble with the law for the next six months.

If the 42-year-old, from Endeavor No. 3, Orange Hill, St James fails to adhere to the bond imposed on him by Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes he would be made to pay $1,000 forthwith or spend the alternative of 90 days in prison.

The sentence was imposed on a charge of trafficking cannabis in December 2019. He was reprimanded and discharged on charges of possession and possession with intent to supply the illegal substance.

Station Sergeant Crishna Graham told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that police were on patrol along the Princess Alice Bus terminal when they observed Jordan with a pair of scissors, cutting what appeared to be vegetable matter.

He was approached and police made a request to search him to which he agreed. Nothing illegal was discovered but the cannabis was found in a haversack which he was carrying. He attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. The drugs weighed 460 grammes and had an estimated street value of $2,400.

On his first appearance before the court Jordan had pleaded guilty to possession of the drug but not guilty to the charges of supply and trafficking. When he appeared today the magistrate explained to him that he would get those two extra charges automatically once the illegal drugs were over 15 grammes.

It was at that time that Jordan charged his plea and sought to explain his actions.

He said: “It’s that amount that is why I plead not guilty. Dem weigh the bag and everything that is why I want a chance to explain myself. I think it is unfair that the police can charge me for more than I had.”

Chief Magistrate Weekes however explained that he had pleaded guilty to the charge of possession long before today and nothing else.

Asked why he had pleaded guilty to the charge, Jordan replied: “I didn’t want to waste the court time.”

However, Jordan’s legal troubles are not yet over as he is still facing a money laundering charge which will come up again for hearing on July 19.