Drug mule fined, jailed
MONTEGO BAY, St James – A Clarendon-born man who has lived in London, England for the past 10 years was on Tuesday sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison and fined $465,000 on drug charges.
After pleading guilty to six counts last week, Courtney Staple, who was held with 35.25 lbs of ganja in his bags at the Sangster International Airport and then passed out 1.25 lbs of cocaine after he was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, could spend up to a year in jail if he fails to pay the fines.
The Croydon, London resident had pleaded guilty to possession, dealing and taking steps to export ganja and cocaine.
The chef who prepares food for a nursing home in London, was leaving the island on August 13 when the investigating officer noticed “certain irregularities” at the ramp/chute area, the court heard.
Two black bags bearing his nametags were searched in his presence and 14 pineapples and 20 dasheens were found to contain packets of ganja.
After being arrested he was then taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where between August 15-17 he expelled 46 pellets of cocaine.
In mitigation on Tuesday attorney-at-law Martyn Thomas told the court that Staple had come to Jamaica on vacation and while he was here a relative had convinced him to attempt the venture.
He was fined $100,000 or three months for possession of cocaine and $250,000 or three months in addition to nine months in prison.
For the ganja he was fined $15,000 or three months for possession and $100,000 or three months for taking steps to export ganja as well as a prison sentence of six months.
Senior Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris, who presided over the matter, ordered that the jail sentences run concurrently but if the fines are not paid, the alternate sentences will run consecutively.