MONTEGO BAY, St James — A man who was found in possession of a quantity of marijuana and uncustomed cigarettes was slapped with a hefty fine in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Luke Reid pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing in ganja, in addition to possession of uncustomed goods.

He appeared before presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce.

According to court documents, on March 5 police were on patrol along Barrett Hall main road when they noticed that a shop was open beyond its usual hours.

They searched the store after obtaining consent from the defendant, the proprietor, and discovered multiple packages of uncustomed cigarettes worth $121,000. Additionally, the police found a plastic bag containing $500 and three ounces of marijuana.

“You are selling cigarettes that are dangerous to the lives of those who buy them, Sir,” Judge Grant-Pryce told the defendant.

“Your Honour, I never know that those cigarettes were not supposed to sell,” Reid told the judge.

“Where did you buy them?” the judge then asked.

“Someone sold them to me, Your Honour,” Reid replied, emphasising that he was unaware that they were uncustomed goods.

“Well, you will learn a lesson today, Sir, because the fines are hefty,” the judge said before ordering him to pay a fine of $363,000 or serve 30 days in jail.

For the marijuana charges, Reid was fined $750 or five days in jail for possession and $1,500 or five days in jail for dealing.