ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — A 27-year-old Jamaican man who admitted to importing nearly three pounds of marijuana into the country, will serve two years in prison after he failed to pay a fine of EC$47,000 (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents).

Glenroy Anthony Fletcher was slapped with the fine on Wednesday.

For importing the drug, he was convicted and fined EC$25,000 or 10 months in prison, he was also fined EC$11,000 or six months in prison after he pleaded guilty.

On the charge of being concerned in supplying of cannabis, he was find EC$11,000 or eight months in prison.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court was told that Fletcher, who is a professional chef, imported a box with the drug but used the name and address of another man.

Earlier this month – on August 9, members of the Police K-9 Unit were conducting a routine search at Deep Water Harbour when one of the dogs alerted the handler to the box.

The box was searched and investigators found items for a baby and two brown teddy bears stuffed with cannabis.

The box was resealed and the man whose name was on the label was called upon to clear the items.

He did so, since he thought he was doing Fletcher a favour given his circumstances.

Fletcher, who accompanied the man to clear the box, said nothing when the police pulled in the man for questioning. However, as investigations continued, the man was released and the police began hunting for Fletcher who was finally caught on Tuesday and charged.

Fletcher, who told the court “hard times” made him commit the crime also said that he has been out of work for some time.