plea in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Rodney Woolridge, 34, of Garden Cottages, Smith's Parish, pleaded guilty to possessing 0.75 grams of cannabis and drug equipment on January 29.

Woolridge, a prison officer for more than ten years prior to the incident, had previously denied the charge and elected to have his case heard in Supreme Court.

But yesterday he decided to have the case settled in the lower court.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis heard that Police stopped Woolridge on Ferry Reach Road and took him to St. George's Police Station where he was searched, but nothing was found.

His car, which was also searched to no avail.

Prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said Police then obtained a search warrant for Woolridge's home.

"I'll save you trouble and give you a spliff,'' he said Woolridge told the officers who found one rolled cigarette containing cannabis and several other drug-related items, including a wooden pipe, papers, and 48 unused small yellow envelopes.

Mr. Francis ordered Woolridge to pay a $250 fine for having the cannabis and $100 for possession of drug equipment.

At the time of his arrest, Woolridge accused prison authorities of setting him up because he had been outspoken about problems in the prisons in the past.

"If I saw something wrong -- I told them. When you speak up you get labelled,'' he said in January. "None of the other officers would speak out because they are afraid od reprisals.''