Man charged with drug possession fined K500

By MALIKAI BALANDU
A 26-YEAR-OLD man charged with being in possession of marijuana was fined K500 by the Lae District Court.
Magistrate Jacinta Doa fined Bonny John, from Chuave’s Mangiro village, Chimbu, K500 or four months at Buimo prison.
Magistrate Doa said the country’s laws on drugs had been amended to ensure tougher penalties for drug offences and to act as a deterrent.
“Drug laws have been changed last year, the highest fine is K1 million or up to 40 years imprisonment,” she said.
Magistrate Doa told John that he could have been sentenced to six years in prison for his offence, but the court had decided to fine him K500, however, if he failed to pay the fine, he would serve four months.
“You know it’s wrong, and since it’s your first time in court and you have pleaded guilty, I will be lenient on you,” she said.
“Pay your fine and learn from your mistakes and stop selling marijuana as a means of getting money.”
The court heard that John had no prior convictions and was unemployed.
Police report stated that an investigation into a robbery resulted in a suspect being arrested and he led police to the second seven dump area outside Lae to the house of his accomplice John on April 22.
John was arrested at his residence at “Big ples kunai” opposite the second seven dump where police found John in possession of eight marijuana roll packs valued at K10 each, 10 small marijuana roll packs valued at K1 each and quarter filled 10kg bag of marijuana.