Water taxi operator of Bequia fined $500 ECC for drug possession and trafficking

A 55-year-old Water taxi operator of Hamilton, Bequia, pleaded guilty and fined $500 ECC for the offences of Possession of a controlled drug and for the purpose of drug trafficking on Wednesday, 7th February 2024.

It is to be noted that the accused has been identified as 55-year-old Barrington Harris. As per the details, Barrington Harris was travelling from St Vincent to Bequia on a ferryboat.

On arriving at the Port Elizabeth Wharf, a police official on duty requested the accused to conduct a search, to which he agreed and stated, “Officer, ah have a piece weed on me.”

Moreover, the officer conducted a thorough search on the accused and discovered the drug in a backpack which Barrington Harris was wearing. The drug found from him was weighed by the officials, and it weighed 313 grammes of drugs.

Subsequently, the authorities arrested and cautioned him on suspicion of Possession of a Controlled Drug and took him to the Port Elizabeth Police Station. Harris appeared before the Kingston Magistrate Court, where he pleaded guilty to both charges on Wednesday, 7th February 2024.

The court asked the accused to pay a fine of $500.00ECC, or else he has to serve three months imprisonment for the purpose of drug trafficking. He paid the fine and was reprimanded and discharged from the offence of Possession of a controlled drug.

Various residents of the community also took to their social media accounts and shared their views on the matter.

One person commented, “It is very nice to see that police officers are performing their duties so well, and they are trying their best to control the country’s increasing crime rates.

While giving suggestions, another person commented the following: “The police should keep on continuing such operations to arrest the culprits and put them behind bars for their offences.”

The authorities of the nation have also promised that they will take all the stringent measures in order to control the increasing crime rates of the country.