A man was fined $2,500 after being caught with 0.52 grams of cannabis near a school.

Lamar Rogers, 28, received the penalty despite being found with the drugs at the weekend. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs at Magistrates' Court.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said Rogers was stopped by Police doing traffic checks in Glebe Road at 9.45 p.m. on March 14.

Rogers was on his motorcycle but the stop took place in an Increased Penalty Zone by Victor Scott Primary School.

Ms Clarke said: "As the defendant was searched, Police found a white paper twist containing plant-like material in his front-left trouser pocket."

The Government analyst said the substance was 0.52 grams of cannabis.

Rogers did not wish to comment but told the court: "It was found in my jacket pocket."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined him $2,500.