Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A district constable who was attached to the St. James Police Division was yesterday sentenced to 30 days in prison for possession of ganja, in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

The lawman, 46-year-old Noel Mason, was charged in August 2006 after he was held on the premises of the Montego Freeport Police Station with the illegal substance. It is said that he was caught taking the drug to an inmate at the lock-up, who was facing a rape charge.

Additional fine

Resident Magistrate Evan Brown in his ruling also fined the district constable $100 or 10 days.

DC Mason, who had maintained a not-guilty plea from the outset, was found guilty at the end of his trial late last year.

The Crown led that he was seen with a bag at the station on August 8, 2006. It is said that a colleague requested a search of the bag after he smelled ganja. The search revealed two transparent parcels of ganja weighing less than an ounce.