KINGSTON, Jamaica — A British man who was caught attempting to export 63 pounds of ganja to his homeland hidden in six tins of Tastee Cheese has been slapped with a $515,000 fine and sentenced to a year in prison.

However, if the fine is not paid, Stephen Marshall will spend a further 12 months in prison.

The foreigner was sentenced by Magistrate Georgianna Fraser after he pleaded guilty to drug charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court Friday.

Marshall was held at the Norman Manley International Airport on September 13 after his luggage was searched and the drugs found in the tins. Ten parcels of ganja were also found.

Marshall’s attorney, in his defence, told the court that his client was experiencing financial problems and turned to drugs for help. He begged for mercy for his client.

But in addition to a year in jail, Marshall was ordered to pay $15,000 or six months for possession of ganja; and $500,000 or six months for taking steps to export ganja. He was admonished and discharged on charges of dealing in ganja and conspiracy to export ganja.

If the fines are not paid the sentences are to run consecutive to the 12-month mandatory sentence.

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