A 23-year-old admitted possessing cannabis within 300 metres of Warwick Preschool and was fined $1,800 yesterday in Magistrates' Court.

Collisha Burch, of Warwick, pleaded guilty to having 1.87 grams of cannabis on August 5. The court heard that at about 2am Police were conducting stop and searches on Middle Road, in Warwick, in anticipation of violence.

Officers searched the defendant in the driveway of Warwick Preschool and found a plastic bag containing a transparent plastic twist and a piece of cigarette inside.

The items were seized as an exhibit and sent to the Government analyst for inspection.

Burch told the court: "This is my first offence and it won't happen again and I am sorry."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined her $800 for the offence and an additional $1,000 for being in an increased penalty zone.