Jamaican reggae star arrested on drug charges in St Vincent
by Kenton Chance
Caribbean Net News Correspondent
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
KINGSTOWN,, St Vincent: Jamaican reggae star
Eric Donaldson was on Monday ordered by a St Vincent magistrate to pay EC$125
(US$46) or spend seven days in jail after he pleaded guilty to possessing
marijuana.
Donaldson was arrested at the E.T. Joshua
Airport while going through security checks on his way to Grenada where he was
schedule to perform. The popular singer, who
ascended to fame during the 1960s and early 70s, was found in possession of 12
grammes of marijuana last Sunday hours after performing at the P’Tami Resort
in Argyle, St. Vincent. He pleaded guilty to
possession of the illegal drug when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Simone
Churaman on Tuesday. The magistrate also
ordered that Donaldson be deported.
Police reports are that at about 8:12 a.m.
Donaldson checked in at the airport cleared with immigration and was going
through a security check when his luggage was searched and eight marijuana
“bombs” (a portion used to make a marijuana cigarette) were found.
The report further indicated that when
cautioned Donaldson told the lawmen he had been in a hurry and had forgotten
the drug in his pocket. He asked them to give him a chance.
Donaldson’s attorney, Ronald Marks pleaded with Magistrate Churaman for
leniency saying that his client was remorseful and that it was a very small
quantity of marijuana. Marks said Donaldson
was scheduled to perform in Grenada and had lost a great deal of income as a
result of the arrest. Before passing
sentence, Magistrate Churaman noted that Donaldson had pleaded guilty and that
the drugs were a small quantity but said she regarded the fact that the
illegal substance was leaving the country.
Back...
Most popular
articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
Printable
version
| 
