A 30-year-old construction worker was, on Tuesday, sentenced to five years in prison and fined $5.4 million for trafficking 12 pounds of “poppy”, a type of foreign marijuana.

Andy Jainandan of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Jainandan admitted to having 12 lbs (5.36 kgs) of cannabis in his possession on March 25, at Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara.

According to reports, on the day in question, Jainandan was intercepted by ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) while on the public road. At the time he was carrying a haversack.

A subsequent search of the said haversack, in the presence of the individual, revealed five brick-like parcels suspected to be cannabis.

He was escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the suspected narcotic. The narcotic was tested and weighed, and it was discovered to be imported cannabis known as “poppy” which carries a street value of approximately GYD $1.8 million.

Magistrate Bess, after considering the nature and prevalence of the crime, sentenced Jainandan to five years in prison together with a fine of $5.4 million.

If he fails to pay the fine, he will have to serve an additional three years.