A Pembroke man was fined $1,300 in Magistrates’ Court this morning for possessing cannabis in an increased penalty zone.

Edward DeSilva-Ottley, 22, admitted having 6.89 grams of the drug in his possession in Paget on November 6 last year.

Cindy Clarke, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that police officers were conducting checks at Ice Queen takeout restaurant when they saw a bag containing plant material fall out of the defendant’s pocket.

She added that DeSilva-Ottley was arrested 66 yards from the Paget Marsh Nature Reserve, an increased penalty zone, on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo fined DeSilva-Ottley $300 for possessing the drug and an additional $1,000 because the offence occurred in an increased penalty zone.

Also in court, 44-year-old Megael Burch, of Warwick, denied possessing cannabis in Hamilton Parish on May 16 last year.

Mr Tokunbo granted $1,000 bail and set a trial date for June 9.