THIRTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Viola Sammy was sentenced to three years imprisonment yesterday, after being convicted on a drug charge.
In addition, the prisoner, who pleaded guilty to being in illegal possession of six grammes cannabis (marijuana) was fined $30,000 with the alternative of three more months in prison, by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at New Amsterdam Court, in Berbice. Police Inspector Satrohan Dayaram, prosecuting, said, last May 18, ranks on mobile patrol in Angoy’s Avenue, on the outskirts of New Amsterdam, saw the convict walking with a cuffed right hand.
However, as the Police vehicle approached her, Sammy was seen putting her hand in the back of her pants.
She was stopped and a search of her person unearthed a small parcel containing leaves, seeds and stems of the prohibited plant.
The woman was taken to Central Police Station in New Amsterdam where the weight of the narcotic was established, the Prosecutor said.
In answer to the Court, Sammy said she is employed as a domestic and has five minor children who are dependent on her.
But Dayaram informed that two of the children are at an orphanage and the others are being cared for by different persons.