fine in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Clinton Webb, 36, pleaded guilty under the Misuse of Drugs Act for having 1.41 grams of cannabis in his possession at Coney Island Park.

He was fined $400 for possessing cannabis and $1,000 for possessing it in an increased penalty zone on September 26.

Webb protested his fine to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner, saying he "only had two spliffs'' and his fine was too harsh. Mr. Warner replied possessing drugs in a park carried an added fine, because parks are increased penalty zones.

Mr. Warner said: "You can't sit in these areas and have herb in your possession.

"But I wasn't smoking,'' Webb said. "A thousand dollars for a spliff!'' Earlier, Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court that about 5.05 p.m., plain clothes Police responded to Coney Island.

There they saw Webb and smelled the scent of cannabis in the area. Webb was searched and found to have a plastic bag containing a yellow pay-type envelope.

The substance was analysed by the Government analyst and found to be 1.41 grams.