60-year-old St Catherine man freed of ganja charges

A 60-year-old St Catherine man who was charged after ganja was found in packages marked as patties was on Monday freed in the parish court.

Ronald Williams was found not guilty by Parish Court Judge Kahon Lamey following a no-case application by his attorney Shelldon Campbell.

The lawyer argued that Williams, who was charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act, should be freed as it was not been proven that he had custody of the ganja.

He argued that other persons have access to the premises and the location where it was allegedly found by the police.

Allegations before the court were that about 3 p.m. on December 28, 2023, Narcotics personnel swooped down on the community of Sydenham Villa in Spanish Town and conducted a search of a premise where Williams lives.

According to the police, several bags marked as patties were discovered with ganja hidden inside, weighing one pound.

Williams, who was present, was arrested and subsequently charged with possession of ganja and dealing in ganja.

Williams had declared his innocence through his lawyer when the matter was called up in court on January 31.

The lawyer explained to the court that his client declared to the police that other persons have access to the dwelling.

The matter was set for case management on February 12.

On Monday, the judge upheld the lawyer's submissions, freeing Williams of the offences.

- Rasbert Turner

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