Portmore man fined $260,000 over fake rum and cigarette

A Portmore, St Catherine man who was held by police with a quantity of ganja as well as selling counterfeit rum and cigarettes in Southboro in the municipality on Tuesday fined a total of $260,000 in the parish court.

Oral Johnson, 40, of a Southboro address, who pleaded guilty, was fined $180,000 or 90 days imprisonment for breaching the Excise Duty Act, $15,000 for possession and dealing in ganja, and $65,000 for counterfeit cigarettes. 

Facts are that on September 12, 2023, police personnel swooped down on a premises in Southboro during which they detected nine gallons of liquid bottled and marked Wray and Nephew White Rum, several cartons of counterfeit cigarettes, and ganja weighing one pound.

Johnson was arrested.

The liquid was tested and found to be counterfeit alcohol.

Johnson was subsequently charged with breaches of the Trade Marks Act, the Customs Act, and the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Johnson made several court appearances and pleaded guilty to all the offences.

- Rasbert Turner

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