ASTHMA SUFFERER ESCAPES DRUG FINE

A man, who said he was on his way home to make tea from cannabis,
was arrested by the police for having the illegal drug in his
possession before he was able to get on the way.

Antonio Lewis appeared in the St. John's Magistrates Court yesterday
and pleaded guilty to the charge. Reportedly he had told his friend
what he was going home to do shortly before the police came on the
scene.

He was reprimanded and discharged.

The court heard that on Friday 27 April about 1:30 p.m. police
officers were on mobile patrol duty in the Ovals area, when they saw
Lewis, 21.

Lewis, who was on the basketball court, reportedly was looking
suspicious and was approached by the officers and searched.

The police found a Ziploc plastic bag with nine wrapped foil packages.
The drug has an estimated street value of $27.

He was arrested and charged.

Lewis, an asthma sufferer, explained to the court that he had the
illegal substance to make some tea for his condition.