ST MARY, Jamaica — A Hanover man has been ordered to pay $165,000 in fines after admitting to drug-related offences stemming from the discovery of ganja concealed in his vehicle during a police operation in St Mary.
Kelvin Patrick Esteen, 46, appeared before the St Mary Parish Court, where he pleaded guilty to possession of ganja and dealing in ganja. He was subsequently fined $15,000 for possession and $150,000 for dealing.
The charges arose from an incident on May 26 when law enforcement officers were conducting a coordinated road policing operation along the Cambridge main road in the parish.
Reports presented to the court indicated that officers stopped and searched a motor vehicle being driven by Esteen. During the inspection, approximately five and a half pounds of ganja were reportedly found hidden in several areas of the vehicle, with the bulk of the substance concealed inside the rim of the spare tyre mounted beneath the car.
Following the seizure, investigators launched inquiries that led to Esteen being charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and trafficking in ganja.
In commenting on the case, head of the St Mary Police Division, Superintendent Anthony Wallace, said the police remain focused on disrupting the transportation and distribution of illegal drugs through intelligence-led operations and targeted enforcement activities.
Wallace noted that strategic roadblocks and proactive policing measures continue to play an important role in the division’s efforts to combat criminal activity and enhance public safety across the parish.
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