Kingston, Jamaica – A downtown vendor has been slapped with multiple fines after pleading guilty to possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and possession of uncustomed goods when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.
The accused, Alrick Topping, was ordered to pay $24,751.90 or serve 30 days in jail for possession of uncustomed cigarettes, $1,000 for the ganja charge, and $1,300 or 10 days for dealing in ganja.
According to police reports, on August 9, lawmen were on patrol when they observed a group of men gambling at a stall operated by Topping. A search of the premises uncovered 2.54 ounces of ganja, already packaged in small wrappers, along with four packs of uncustomed cigarettes.
In court, Topping pleaded guilty and told the judge it was the first time he had been involved in such an offence. Investigating officers also confirmed that Topping was not a known offender, noting that he usually sells dry goods — including to police officers at night.
Topping will now have to pay up or risk time behind bars.

