A 24-year-old Sandys man was last week fined $2,000 for having $350 worth of crack cocaine in an increased penalty zone.

Lloyd Burch had been arrested on September 7, 2002 on another matter at the Somerset Bridge Recreation Club, Magistrates' Court was told.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines said the defendant was taken to Somerset Police station where he was found to have a number of paper twists which were later determined be contain 83 percent-pure crack cocaine with a total street value of $350.

Along with the drugs the defendant was in possession of $2,017 in cash, Mr. Caines said.

Burch told Police that a woman had given him $300 to buy the drugs for her and he said the $2,017 came from the recent sales of his motorbike.

Burch pleaded guilty to the charge, saying: "I had a drug problem at the time but since then I have straightened up my life and am hoping for another chance to succeed."

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves fined the man $1,000 for possession with intent to supply and an additional $1,000 for possession in an increased penalty zone.

After Burch thanked him, Mr. Greaves warned him: "I don't back off, you hear?"