Cannabis offender handed over to Immigration

A 28-year-old Jamaican man was handed over to Immigration officials on Thursday after admitting to a cannabis charge in a Bridgetown court.

Romoy Odaine Rhoomes, a mason, who lives at Westbury Road, St Michael, appeared before acting Magistrate Shakieda Sealy and admitted to having two grammes of cannabis in his possession along Baxter’s Road on Wednesday.

Police officers were on duty near a stall in the area when they became suspicious after detecting a strong scent of marijuana. They observed Rhoomes at the back of the stall discarding items from his pockets before fleeing towards Reed Street. Officers recovered two Ziploc bags and pursued Rhoomes. 

When he was captured, they showed him the items, but he denied knowledge and ownership of them. He was arrested.

When Rhoomes appeared before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, he accepted responsibility. The prosecutor then informed the magistrate that information from the Immigration Department showed that Rhoomes arrived here on February 1, 2024 and had never regularised his status.

Rhoomes was reprimanded and discharged for the offence and placed in the custody of immigration officers.

(JB)