Lucas Crosby, a 63-year-old Grenadian national married to a Vincentian woman, was stopped at Argyle International Airport (AIA) with 64 grammes of cannabis on 7 August 2018.[1] A security officer found plant-like material resembling cannabis on him and in his carry-on luggage, and a plain-clothes officer was called.[2] Crosby was arrested, taken to the Criminal Investigations Department and charged at the Serious Offences Court the same morning.[1]

He faced charges of possession with intent to supply, drug trafficking and attempting to export cannabis, and pleaded guilty to all three.[1] A transparent bag wrapped in a jersey was found in his carry-on hand luggage, the court heard.[1] iWitness News reported that he pleaded guilty to possession of 64 grammes (2.25 ounces) of cannabis for drug trafficking, possession with intent to supply and attempted exportation.[2] The court was told he had no previous convictions.[2]

Defence lawyer Grant Connell said hasty packing on departure left a relatively small amount of marijuana on Crosby and in his carry-on.[1] Connell put the value of the drug at $75.[1] Connell called the case a reason to amend the law towards a ticketing system, said it affected tourism as well as young people, and warned that a criminal record would complicate Crosby’s return to see his wife.[1]

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias fined him $300 for possessing the drug, $500 for drug trafficking and $500 for attempting to export it, a total of $1,300.[1] iWitness News reported that he was ordered to pay EC$1,300 or spend five months in prison, and that the total fine was EC$1,300.[2] Crosby paid the fine and left court shortly afterwards.[1]