A 21-year-old who admitted possessing almost $3,000 worth of cannabis with intent to supply at Somerset Cricket Club was jailed for two years yesterday.

Lawyer Larry Scott, who was defending Patrick Lewis Dill, hit out at strict new drug laws which he said meant there was no room for discretion in punishing Dill. Crown Counsel Cindy Clarke told Magistrates? Court that Police saw Dill enter the building at the cricket ground at 10.40 p.m. on January 7.

They followed the defendant, who is from Wilson Place, Sandys, noting that he appeared nervous and evasive. When he was searched, they found 12 clear plastic twists and a silver foil twist in a bandanna in his jacket pocket. He also had $865 in his trouser pocket.

Later analysis by the Police showed the foil twist contained 5.45 grams of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of $545. The clear twists had 48.71 grams of cannabis in them, worth $2425. Ms. Clarke said it was the opinion of a Police narcotics expert that the drugs were for sale or distribution. Mr. Scott said that under the law, his client faced a maximum of ten years in jail or a fine of up to $500,000 or three times the street value of the drug ? whichever was greater.

He said he felt the legislation had been ?handled badly? and that his client was ?doomed? to prison. ?The legislation has to all intents and purposes made the function of defence counsel useless, Mr. Scott said, and asked for his client, who has no previous convictions, to be given ?the bare minimum? sentence.

He added that Dill ? who arrived at court on crutches and in a leg brace ? had had a serious bike accident last week, and urged prison officials to make sure he got the medical attention he needed. Dill apologised to the court and added: ?I want to apologise to my mama and my father too. I?ve disappointed them.?

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said the situation was unfortunate but that Dill had committed a serious crime. ?Parliament has registered its displeasure and requires harsh treatment to be dispensed to people who commit these kinds of offences,? he added.

He explained that on top of the minimum sentence of imprisonment on 12 months, he must add another term of 12 months because Somerset Cricket Club is in a ?increased penalty zone? that requires tougher punishment for drug pushers in its vicinity. Mr. Tokunbo also ordered that he forfeit the $865 that was seized.