Officer a weed e be. Officer ah just a little bush

[amsterdamage]

A 50-year-old man had to pay $500 of a $3,500 fine immediately after he was convicted for possession of cannabis. Dennis Edwards of Creek Side pleaded guilty to the charge. He was jointly charged with Jason Teague and Darren Andrew both of Barnes Hill, who pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The three men were also charged with possession with intent to transfer; however, their respective pleas were nullified. Both Teague and Andrew had pleaded not guilty to the charge while Edwards said he was guilty. Acting Chief Magistrate Asquith Riviere told the men he could not accept their pleas, because the proper charge was not put to them. Apparently the charge was quoted under the wrong section of the law. “You are discharged on that charge. That charge is not known to the law,” the magistrate said.

Officers from the Police Task Force were on mobile patrol duty on 7 Jan., about 3:20 a.m., conducting a stop and search exercise. The officers who were in the vicinity of the Golden Grove playing field observed a Suzuki vehicle, C274 going from north to south on the Golden Grove main road.

The officers signalled for the driver to stop which he did. The police approached the vehicle which had three occupants. Edwards was seated in the back seat behind the driver.

The men were notified of the exercise being conducted by the police and they were all searched. While searching Edwards, the police found two pieces of wrapped foil paper packages in his left front pocket. Edwards’ response was, “Officer a weed e be. Officer ah just a little bush.”

A search was also conducted in the vehicle and a black plastic bag with drugs was found under the driver’s seat, in the area where Edwards was seated. Asked what the plastic bag contained, he said, “Officer a fu me weed.” Teague and Andrew when shown the substance denied any knowledge of it.

The drugs, which amount to 343 grammes have an estimated street value of $1,029. Edwards was taken to Police Headquarters and arrested and charged. The farmer and shop owner, who has been a Rastafarian for over 24 years, said the marijuana was earmarked for brewing purposes and was not for smoking. He has to pay the $3,000 balance by 28 Feb., or he will be sentenced to six months hard labour.

The cannabis is to be destroyed.

Beautiful language!

http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=...02008&ac=Local