St Catherine man fined $100,000 over 11 pounds of ganja

A St Catherine resident who accepted responsibility for having 11 pounds of ganja was ordered to pay $100,000 after appearing in the St Catherine Parish Court on Wednesday.

Sheldon Hines admitted guilt on charges of possession of ganja and dealing in ganja, which stemmed from a police raid at his premises earlier this year. While handing down sentence, Parish Court Judge Roneiph Lawrence warned him not to treat ganja sales as a way to earn a living. “Ganja is not a controlled substance, and you cannot be selling it for a living,” the judge told him.

For possession of ganja, Hines was fined $15,000 or 30 days in prison. On the dealing in ganja charge, he was fined $85,000 or 30 days behind bars. Judge Lawrence said the custodial terms should be served at the same time if the money is not paid.

The court was told that police carried out an operation at Hines’ premises on April 4, 2026, and during a search allegedly discovered vegetable matter resembling ganja. Hines and Mickailia Williams were later arrested and charged with possession and dealing in ganja. Williams was discharged after the Crown indicated it was offering no evidence against her.