‘I have ganja, but not much’

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A 76-year-old British resident’s journey back to London was cut short after eight ounces of ganja were discovered in his luggage at the airport, resulting in a $17,000 fine in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday. Washington Hylton, a resident of London, England, pleaded guilty to possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and attempting to export ganja when he appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton. He was represented by attorney Delford Morgan. The court heard that about 10:15 am on October 1, Hylton was at Sangster International Airport preparing to leave Jamaica on a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for Heathrow, London, when a search of his luggage was requested. When asked whether he had anything to declare, Hylton reportedly responded, “Yes, I have ganja, but not much.” A search of his suitcase subsequently uncovered a bag containing eight ounces of the plant. Under caution, Hylton reportedly said, “I bought it. It better unoo kill mi than mix mi up with a bag of killers inna jail.” He was subsequently arrested and charged. During mitigation, Morgan told the court that Hylton had five different Jamaican herbs, one of which was marijuana, which he intended to take back to England for medicinal use. “Somehow, he was led to believe that eight ounces was allowed,” the attorney said. Judge Fairclough-Hylton fined Hylton $2,000 or 10 days for possession and $15,000 or 30 days for attempting to export the ganja. No evidence was offered on the charge of dealing in ganja.