Magistrates' Court collected $2,500 from several men who appeared on drug possession charges last week.

Trudo David Foggo, 20, of Fractious Street, Hamilton Parish was fined $1,500 after he was arrested having 6.16 grams of cannabis in his possession in Devonshire Bay Park - an increased penalty zone - on March 24.

"How much do you pay for a spliff?" Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves asked Foggo.

"Twenty dollars," Foggo replied.

Mr. Greaves, a Barbadian citizen, quipped: "Man, back home the price is $2.50. Well the price has just gone up. That's going to cost you $500 for the possession and $1,000 that Parliament says you have to pay for being in an increased penalty zone."

Winston Lloyd Parker, 50, from Devonshire Parish, was fined $500 for being caught with 0.42 grams of cannabis on May 28.

Parker pleaded guilty to having plant-like material in his car, after being stopped by Police.

"It's my car, I guess it's mine," Parker told Police after they retrieved the plant material.

Mr. Greaves said: "Spliffs are expensive - $500 you have to pay, today."

And Romario Chandler pleaded guilty to possessing 026 grams of cannabis on February 9, this year.

The 21-year-old from Ferry Lane, St. George's was stopped by Police for a routine check. Police found Chandler had a series of outstanding warrants for traffic matters and a struggle ensued when they tried to arrest him.

During the struggle he tried to discard a home-made cigarette with plant material inside.

Police eventually arrested Chandler and he admitted the cigarette was his.

It was analysed by the Government analyst and found to be 0.26 grams of cannabis.

"It ain't very much weed, Your Honour, and I'm hoping for a little bit of leniency."

Mr. Greaves said: "You will pay $500 for possession of the cannabis or face 50 days in jail."

Mr. Greaves allowed Chandler one week to pay the fine but ordered him to pay $1,100 in outstanding traffic fines immediately.

"I'm tough, but not so unfair," Mr. Greaves said.