A 46-year-old Pembroke man pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine nearly three years after he was caught by Police.

John Arorash, of St. Monica's Road, was arrested October 27, 2006.

Prosecutor Nicole Smith told Magistrates' Court officers spotted Arorash on Court Street around 8.50 p.m.

They became suspicious after they saw him lean into the drivers' side window of a car and exchange something with the driver.

The officers approached Arorash and searched him. They found a brown paper twist containing a white, rock-like substance. It was later revealed to be 0.2 grams of cocaine with an 82 percent purity.

Arorash told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner he failed to appear for an earlier court date, in March 2007, because he forgot he "had that bill to pay".

Mr. Warner responded: "I don't accept that you overlooked this one. This is not a bill. It is a serious charge of possession of cocaine."

He fined Arorash $800 or 80 days' imprisonment.