A resident of Portmore has been ordered to pay substantial fines or face imprisonment after admitting to cocaine-related offences in the parish court.
Douglas Forbes, 49, of Independence City, appeared before the St Catherine Parish Court, where he pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and dealing in the illegal substance.
Presiding judge Gennetta Smikle imposed a fine of $500,000 or four months’ imprisonment for possession, and $1 million or nine months for dealing. Both sentences will run concurrently.
During mitigation, defence attorney Atiba Dyer appealed for leniency on behalf of his client. However, the court was advised that Forbes has a prior criminal record, including convictions for drug offences and possession of counterfeit currency.
According to the prosecution’s case, on January 4, 2026, law enforcement officers carried out a search warrant at Forbes’ residence. The operation led to the discovery of approximately 15 grams of a white powdery substance resembling cocaine.
Forbes was subsequently taken into custody and formally charged.







