TRINIDADIAN entertainer Cornelius Thomas was on Thursday sentenced to 54 months imprisonment along with a fine of $566,000 by Magistrate Dylon Bess for trafficking narcotics.

Thomas, after almost a month of trial, was found guilty of the offence which stated that on May 28 at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, he had in his possession 834 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.
The 31-year-old gospel-show promoter and entertainer was unrepresented by an attorney. The case was prosecuted by Police Lance Corporal Christopher Morris.

The prosecution contended that on the day in question, the police received information and with the assistance of his landlord, searched the man’s premises at Mandela Avenue and found the substance in several Ziploc bags. The defendant was accordingly told of the offence and was charged.

Magistrate Bess, in his ruling, told the court that he was satisfied that Thomas had control of the drugs, since it was found in his room.
Thomas begged the Magistrate to let him serve his sentence at a prison in his homeland, Trinidad, but apparently his plea fell on deaf ears.

In handing down the sentence, the Magistrate advised Thomas that should he fail to pay the $566,000 fine, he will have to spend an additional six months in jail.