A 19-year-old Smith's man was fined more than $1,500 yesterday after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified and possession of a controlled substance.

Barrymore DeCouto was arrested on March 5 when he was stopped by Police near the Parsons Road playground. Police dogs alerted officers to illegal drugs in DeCouto's front right pocket.

"I have a little weed in my right pocket," DeCouto told Police. During a search Police retrieved a plastic twist containing a loose plant material, according to Crown counsel Cindy Clarke.

When taken for analysis that plant material was found to be 2.9 grams of cannabis. DeCouto, who has been disqualified until May 1, 2005, was taken off the road for another year. He was also fined $750 for his traffic violation.

"Because of your clean record and guilty plea, I'm not going to send you to prison," Magistrate Edward King told DeCouto. He was fined $1,000 for his drug charge.