Two years hard labour for marijuana possession
By
Nikita Braxton-Benjamin
Story Created:
Sep 29, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Sep 29, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT
TWO brothers appeared in the Chaguanas Magistrates' Court last week charged with having planted and packaged marijuana at their home.
Defendant Michael Seunathsingh, 28, said the marijuana was part of "religious practice" as he was a Rastafarian.
His attorney Orrin Kerr said he told Seunathsingh, a self professed historian, that having the marijuana was against the law of the land, but the drugs was for Seunathsingh's personal consumption and not for sale. Kerr said his client was remorseful and had caused his family shame.
Plastic packets containing the marijuana in the form of seedlings, leaves and dried plant material were found on a table in the living room and on a bed at Seunathsingh's home.
Police also uprooted 40 trees at the back of the house in Chaguanas after executing a search warrant last Monday. The drugs together weighed 1,450 grammes. Corporal Ken Ali charged Seunathsingh along with his brother Mitra Seunathsingh for possession of the drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
Chaguanas Senior Magistrate Gillian Scotland said it was a lot of drugs and in different forms.
She sentenced Michael Seunathsingh to two years hard labour. He kissed his crying mother on the cheek as he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Mitra, 35, who works as a promotion manager, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Scotland placed him on $5,000 bail and ordered that he return to court on October 23.
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