American visitor nabbed with cocaine

Customs officials swooped on an American visitor who tried to bring cocaine and cannabis into Bermuda.

Stephen Mitchell Jablon, from Yonkers, New York, was arrested at Bermuda International Airport on November 11.

He was fined $2,500 on Monday when he appeared at Magistrates? Court after admitting attempting to import 1.99 grams of cannabis and 0.76 grams of cocaine, of nearly 50 per cent purity.

Jablon was stopped after landing on a flight from Boston. He was sent to customs where traces of cocaine were spotted in a luggage scan.

When taken to be searched the 32-year-old US citizen removed a clear plastic bag from his trouser pocket, and Police later confirmed he had cocaine and cannabis in his possession.

The defendant blamed a ?total lack of judgement and intelligence? and asked the court for leniency.

Students given opportunity to study trades

Secondary school students will now have the chance to pursue certificates in construction and hospitality-related occupations.

Education and Development Minister Terry Lister said students who gain the certificates will be able to go forward to the Bermuda College, or enter apprenticeship schemes that will ensure that Bermuda has highly skilled staff for the future.

The programme will fit in with the National Training Board Regulations on the certification of workers in technical areas, he said.

Mr. Lister said the purpose of the National Occupational Certification is to regulate occupational standards of technical competence; to designate occupations that will require compulsory certification because of the occupation?s importance to the economy; and, to reduce the risk of physical harm to a worker or other persons from the improper application of the materials and methodology of the occupation.

The benefits of a national certified workforce, he said, are multifold in that there would be greater worker and public safety, increased levels of consumer satisfaction and a motivated and competitive workforce.

The national certification regulations are expected to be approved during this parliamentary session.

This certification process, he said, will extend through several occupations, but is intended to start with the electrician, motor vehicle and welding occupations.

Man denies having offensive weapon

Davaun Cox, 21, of Orchard Grove Lane, Pembroke also appeared in Magistrates? Court yesterday to deny having an offensive weapon in public.

Cox was charged with having a claw hammer in Pembroke Parish on November 3.

He will return to Magistrates? Court on January 6.

Burglar hits neighbouring homes inWarwick

Burglars are continuing to target homes in Warwick. On Tuesday a thief took around $650 from a South Road, Warwick, home while a nearby neighbour lost $350 during a lunchtime burglary. Police are warning people not to keep large amounts of cash at home.

Drunk driver was three times over the limit

A Portuguese man was caught nearly three times over the drink drive limit, a court heard this week.

Police found Emanuel Barbosa off his motorcycle and lying on his back on Middle Road, Paget.

They noticed his eyes were glazed and his breath was smelling of alcohol, Magistrates? Court heard.

The defendant, who works for a construction company, was taken to hospital and he was later told through an interpreter that he had been arrested. A breath test he was given gave a reading of nearly three times the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Barbosa, 41, of Rockywold Drive, Sandys, admitted drink driving on November 8.

He was given a one-year driving ban for all vehicles and a $1,000 fine.