CourtNews Man on disability pension to pay for importing cannabis by Barbados Today 19/12/2023 written by Barbados Today Updated by Aguinaldo Belgrave 19/12/2023 2 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 485 A man on disability pension has been sentenced to pay the court $15 000 in one year or spend the same amount of time in Dodds Prison after pleading guilty to several cannabis-related charges. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes on Monday, 55-year-old Roger Wendell Haynes of Lot A, Three Houses, St Philip admitted to importing and trafficking 6.85 kilogrammes of the drug with an estimated street value of $54 800, on December 15, 2023. He also pleaded guilty to possession, trafficking and intent to supply 22 grammes of the drug, valued at $110, and to the possession of apparatus intended for the use of marijuana on the same day. The District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court heard that Haynes had made arrangements to ship a barrel into Barbados, and on December 14, 2023, went to the shipping agency and paid to clear it. The next day, the barrel was examined by customs personnel and seven vacuum-sealed packages were found. Police were summoned. Later that day, police carried out a search at Haynes’ home where they found two jars and a white pan containing cannabis in his bathroom and one jar and a cigarette pack with the drug in his bedroom wardrobe. He told police, “I know bout the drugs. Dem is mine. Dem is marijuana.” You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition Business owners disappointed Police investigate shooting Haynes, who had no previous convictions, was reprimanded and discharged on the counts other than importation for which Magistrate Weekes slapped him with a $15 000 fine. Explaining to the court that he was on disability pension, he asked the court to extend the time for him to pay the money. “Importation into the country, especially at a time when people are bringing in much-needed food and other items, is a distraction and more hard work for the customs officials, unnecessarily so. Sir, you are receiving a pension from the state, which concerns me…. I do not know what would have prompted you, after the state has sacrificed . . . to want to even contemplate bringing in drugs to the place. I will tell you that it is because of your disability that the court will take the position of extending the usual time it gives to pay this fine,” the judge said, while warning Haynes to find legal means to pay the fee. Barbados Today Stay informed and engaged with our digital news platform. The leading online multimedia news resource in Barbados for news you can trust. You may also like Walters: Where has the HOPE money gone? 01/12/2024 Housing crisis demands long-term strategy, senators urge 01/12/2024 More demand for live trees, says Kooyman 01/12/2024