ST JAMES, Jamaica— A policeman who was allegedly caught with marijuana and weapons on the grounds of the Montego Bay Police Station was fined $27,000 when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Constable Rasheem Smith pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing in ganja, as well as three counts of possessing an offensive weapon.

Smith’s lawyer, Henry McCurdy, stated in his mitigation plea that his client was of good character and had an unblemished record prior to the incident.

In passing the sentence, presiding judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley ordered the cop to pay a fine of $5,000 or 10 days in jail for possession of ganja and $7,000 or 10 days in jail on the dealing charge. He was also fined $15,000 or 10 days in jail for possession of the three knives.

Smith was arrested on January 5 after the investigating officer and colleagues went to the Montego Bay Police Station shortly after 7:00 pm after learning of an investigation into him.

The officers approached him as he drove onto the compound.

The allegations are that Smith’s vehicle was searched and a sum of money was removed from both the vehicle and his person. A knapsack on the front passenger seat of the vehicle was also searched.It was discovered to contain 17 parcels with green vegetable matter resembling ganja and weighing one pound, seven ounces.

Several other items were discovered in the knapsack, including cigarettes, lighters, and three ratchet knives.

When cautioned, Smith reportedly said, “I got a little weed and tobacco to give to someone at Moods [exotic night club].”

When he was charged and cautioned in relation to dealing in ganja he reportedly said, “It’s me doing my thing, not anyone else.”

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