Liquor seized from an illegal operation will be sold to the Police Club and the proceeds will go into Government's Consolidated Fund, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday after Donna Marie Hardy, 38, of Valley Road, Paget, pleaded guilty to selling liquor without a licence.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that on October 5 last year uniformed Police Officers in possession of a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act went to a house on Union Street in Pembroke known as Pear Tree.

During their search, officers saw people running away from a small building at the rear of the house and upon entering it discovered a large amount of liquor stacked neatly upon the shelves.

Some of the bottles were sealed and others were open. More liquor was found in a refrigerator.

Officers also found a cash box, which contained $219.25, and a handbag with two notebooks, one containing credit notes. All of the liquor, cash and notebooks were seized.

The defendant, who was not present during the raid, was contacted and asked to attend Hamilton Police Station. She appeared on October 18 and admitted she was selling the liquor.

Mr. Caines said Hardy had a peddler's licence but was not allowed to sell liquor.

"We are seeing an increase of people selling liquor without a licence. The Crown is not suggesting a custodial sentence, but a fine that reflects the gravity of the offence," he continued.

Defence lawyer Patrick Doherty said: "The Pear Tree is an informal social club. Hardy has a peddler's licence and she previously only sold chip, cigarettes and pop. She was asked by people to be in charge of alcohol. People would put in $20 each for their alcohol but the trouble came when there were people who had not paid."

He added: "She did not make a direct profit from it. She received small amounts of money. She has no previous record and has pleaded guilty, saving the court time in prosecution of this and has no involvement with this group."

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said: "In Barbados, this is what we would call a 'rum shop' - with all the tables out in the yard. Maybe she should be on Front Street. Why didn't she make an application for a liquor licence?"

Mr. Doherty asked for a fine of $200 for Hardy.

Mr. Greaves said: "She has a well set up and well organised business set up here. I'm a capitalist; I like people to run their own business. I know it is hard on working class people, but they still have to make an application for a liquor licence."

Mr. Greaves initially fined Hardy $750.

Mr. Doherty said: "She was not making a lot of money."

"This was an organised business as can be seen from the photos. It must have been open for some time. Some of the revenue should be recouped from the fine imposed," said Mr. Greaves.

Mr. Greaves decided that the liquor would be sold to the Police Recreation Club to reduce the fine to $500.