Fifty year old James Alvarez, an unemployed of 7 Eden Site who was one of 6 persons charged with drug trafficking for half a kilo - about one and a half pounds - of cannabis, was fined ten thousand dollars today by Magistrate Albert Hoare after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Alvarez was given until February 29, 2012 to pay. If he defaults on payment he will serve 3 years. Alvarez said he has been diagnosed with leukemia and he was using the proceeds from the sales of cannabis to pay his medical expenses.
The others charged were 47 year old Derrick Pinks, 21 year old Tricia Alvarez, 23 year old Edwin Flores, a 15 year old boy and Gale Alvarez.
The charge against them was withdrawn by the prosecution. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. today. The police reported that when they searched a concrete bungalow house at 7 Eden Site they found the cannabis in a knapsack next to bed where James Alvarez was sleeping.
