Feb 8, 2011
British Women Sentenced For Attempting To Smuggle 119 Lbs Of Ganja
Two British nationals – 30 year old Heather Stoute and 59 year old Ruby Blackwood – who were found guilty of seeking to illegally export 119 pounds of ganja, were given lengthy jail terms when they appeared in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Stoute and Blackwood, both of London, were arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport on January 25, after detectives from the Transnational Crimes and Narcotics Division searched their luggage as they were about to board a Virgin Atlantic flight for London. 85 pounds of compressed ganja was found in Stoute’s two suitcases, while 34 pounds were removed from Blackwood’s suitcase.
They were each sentenced to a mandatory two-year jail term, and in addition to this, Stoute was also sentenced to six months or J$15,000 (US$177) for possession of ganja; six months or J$200,000 (US$2, 362) for dealing in ganja; and J$544,072 (US$6,427) or two years for taking steps to export the drug. Blackwood was also sentenced to six months or $115,000 (US$1,358) for dealing in ganja; and two years or $213,000 (US$2,516) for taking steps to export the drug. She, too, was given six months or $15,000 (US$177) for possession of ganja.
The sentences are to run consecutively.