MONTEGO BAY, St James — A Westmoreland businessman caught with more than 20 pounds of cocaine during a 2022 police operation in Coral Gardens, St James, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and fined $4.5 million.

Oral Johnson, a 48-year-old restaurant and bar operator from Garden District in Westmoreland, was convicted on several drug-related charges, including possession, dealing, trafficking, and taking steps to export 23 pounds of cocaine.

According to the allegations, on April 26, 2022, Johnson was observed sitting — for roughly 20 minutes — in a parked vehicle in the upscale Coral Gardens area. When approached by police, he reportedly gave inconsistent explanations for his presence, initially stating that he was waiting for a friend then later claiming he was there to collect money from a woman to whom he had sold fish.

A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of nine packages of cocaine concealed inside. The substance was estimated to have a street value of roughly US$550,000.

Johnson was taken into custody and formally charged on May 3.

His arrest formed part of a wider operation during which police also seized US$3.8 million and CAD$30,000 from a nearby three-storey residence.

During the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Johnson’s attorney, Martyn Thomas, described the social enquiry report prepared on Johnson’s behalf as a very good one, noting that it offered a favourable view of his client’s character.

Thomas told the court that, according to the report, community members indicated that Johnson did not display any anti-social behaviour, got along well with others, and that residents were requesting leniency on his behalf.

The attorney also disclosed that Johnson suffers from a serious medical condition and raised concerns about whether he could receive proper treatment while incarcerated.

“We had hoped to have the doctor here today, but he could not be here,” Thomas said.

He urged the court to consider that Johnson had no previous convictions, emphasising that it was his first offence and that the probation aftercare officer had assessed his risk of reoffending as low. The defence attorney appealed for a sentence that reflected the specific nature of the offence — one that would allow his client the opportunity to return to his community soon.

Presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce acknowledged these mitigating factors in her ruling. She said the original sentence considered was 18 months, but after reviewing the social enquiry report, Johnson’s health concerns, and the impact on his young children, she opted for a reduced term.

“I will reduce it to nine months’ imprisonment for possession of cocaine, plus a $1.5 million fine or serve an additional nine months,” the judge ruled.

On the charge of dealing in cocaine, Johnson was admonished and discharged. For taking steps to export the drug, he received a further nine-month sentence and another $1.5 million fine or nine months’ imprisonment. On the trafficking count he was fined an additional $1.5 million or serve nine months in default.

If Johnson fails to pay the fines he will serve the prison sentences consecutively, which will extend his total time behind bars. However, the prison terms related to each charge will be served concurrently.

Meanwhile, the Asset Recovery Agency has filed an application seeking the forfeiture of Johnson’s property, suspected to be proceeds of crime. Committal documents are expected to be served on him in due course.