Alric Lindsay 
By Alric Lindsay
A 22-year-old man appeared in the Summary Court on September 2, 2026, for a mention for sentencing for two offences of importation of a controlled drug: a vape pod and Ganja flower. The Chief Magistrate fined him and gave him a conditional discharge.
Giving some background to the incident, Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said that on April 1, 2026, the man arrived at Owen Roberts International Airport on a flight from New York. When he completed the customs declaration form, he selected “no” to all questions, including those related to the importation of controlled drugs.
Upon clearing immigration, a Customs & Border Control officer asked the man if he had any CBD or THC products. He responded: “I hope not.” After the CBC officer conducted the search, a Ganja flower was found inside the man’s bag. A vape pod was also recovered, hidden in a pair of socks.
The man was arrested and interviewed. Reportedly, he explained that he packed so fast that he forgot he had the Ganja flower but, ultimately, he thought he “could get away with it.”
Acting on the man’s behalf, defence counsel Stacy-Ann Kelly noted that she didn’t receive a CD of the man’s interview and was not aware of the questions posed to him. Kelly noted that her instructions were that the man went on a trip to New York and the imported items were legal there.
Kelly explained that the man had a plate in his left knee and was taking THC to help with pain he experienced. Reportedly, he now has a medical card, which he said helped him. Kelly added that he was genuinely remorseful and the items were for personal use. In the circumstances, Kelly asked the Chief Magistrate to consider asking for costs only and not to record a conviction.
After hearing from legal counsels, the Chief Magistrate said, “You are a young man with no previous convictions.” She noted that the man went on a trip and a friend suggested that he try the items. She added that while he intended to bring the vape, he inadvertently brought in the Ganja.
In the circumstances, the Chief Magistrate found that there was low harm, the man had the items for personal use and that there were “extenuating circumstances.” The Chief Magistrate gave the man a conditional discharge for six months and ordered that he pay costs of $1,500 to the Crown. The drugs were forfeited, and the man was informed of his right to appeal.
