Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Shawn Kendall Franks of Middle Road, Southampton received the high penalty for possession of 3.13 grammes of cannabis because he was found with the drug in an increased penalty zone.

Junior Crown counsel Shade Subair told the court that Franks was found with the drug on Middle Road in Sandys outside of Somerset Bridge Recreation Club at White Hill.

According to Police, Franks smelled of cannabis and appeared nervous so officers searched him and found a ziplock bag containing plant material.

Government analysis later determined that the bag contained 3.13 grammes of cannabis.

When officers confronted Franks he said: "I don't know nothing about that man -- you must have put it there.'' Franks told Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King that he hadn't known he was in an increased penalty zone when Police stopped him. "I was just crossing the road,'' he said. "I wasn't sitting on the wall.'' Mr. King fined Franks $700 for possession but added an additional $1,000 fine for being in the increased penalty zone -- across from the sports club.