By: Isatou Sarr
The Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Monday sentenced a US citizen to D100,000 fine after pleading guilty to charges of Cannabis cultivation and drugs possession.
Alfred John Francis could spend two years and six months in jail if he defaults in fine payment.
Alfred on Monday pleaded guilty to the charges of been found in possession of 12.286g of cannabis sativa in the West Coast Region village of Siffoe in contravention of section 35(2)(a) of the Drug Control (Amendment) Act (2014), Laws of The Gambia.
He also admitted guilt for the charge of cultivating nine plants of cannabis, weighing 200g.
In his plea for mitigation on behalf of Alfred, counsel P.K Mendy said his client is an American citizen resident in The Gambia. Counsel Mendy said Alfred had a family to look after and vouched that he wouldn’t be involved in such acts again. He told the court that his client used the cannabis plants for medicinal purposes.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate K.B Sambou stated that due to the convict’s unstable health condition, plea formitigation, remorse and that since he did not waste court’s time, he would sentence him to a fine instead of a custodial sentence. Magistrate Sambou then fined Alfred D75,000.00 on count one in default to serve two years imprisonment. Alfred was also fined D25,000.00 on count two in default to serve six months in prison.
Both sentences would run concurrently.
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency(DLEAG) was represented by Moses Demba.