Canadian fined $3000 for importing cannabis

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A Canadian businessman has been fined in Magistrates’ Court after he admitted bringing around 14g of cannabis into Bermuda.

Dougal Munro, from Brampton, Ontario pleaded guilty to importing a controlled substance on May 27 on a WestJet flight from Toronto.

Crown counsel Geoffrey Faiella told the court that Munro was searched by Customs officials at LF Wade International Airport after a K9 unit directed officers to his jacket.

Officers subsequently found a plastic bag containing the drugs in a jacket pocket.

Munro told the officers he had the drugs for medical reasons.

“I brought it with me because I need it to help me sleep at night,” he said.

He later conceded that he did not have a prescription for the drug.

Munro’s lawyer, Shawn Crockwell, described his client as a successful businessman and philanthropist.

He said Munro had several surgeries in 2009 which led to insomnia and abdominal pain. He said Munro had tried to use sleeping pills to help him sleep, but turned to cannabis because the medication was making him feel sluggish.

“He has never had any conviction or in trouble with the law in any jurisdiction,” Mr Crockwell said. “It’s unfortunate that this scarred his experience in Bermuda, but he is here to apologise to the court and to the Country.”

Munro apologised to the court. He said he didn’t realise how serious an offence cannabis importation is in Bermuda.

However Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner noted that Munro initially denied possessing the drug. He said that suggested he was aware it was illegal to bring the drugs to the Island and fined Munro $3,000.

Munro was ordered to pay the fine immediately or face 30 days in prison.

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