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'Marijuana? maybe, but not coke!' – Magistrate

- man gets $2000 fine for $600 worth of crack cocaine
It is alleged that Branford Prince was discovered with the drug by officers on patrol in Baugher’s Bay on October 13, 2013 at approximately 12:50 AM. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Magistrate Dr Velon L. John related today, March 28, 2014 that regarding illicit drugs, with marijuana there can be some accommodation, but crack cocaine is a very addictive drug that has no ‘redeeming aspect’ to it.

The observation was made as Branford Prince pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug (6 grams of cocaine) when he appeared before the court.

Prince was discovered with the drug by officers on patrol in Baugher’s Bay on October 13, 2013 at approximately 12:50AM. He was seen near the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School while driving a sliver Toyota Corolla (RT2090) with one front headlight when he was approached by the officers.

Prince also known as Makabee was pulled over and was noticed to be trembling. A search of his vehicle and person was requested and two small plastic wrappings were discovered in his right jeans pocket. One of the packets contained cocaine while the other contained crack cocaine.

When asked by the officers what the substance was he allegedly said, “Officer, is crack”. Nothing additional was found on his person and he was taken to the Road Town Police Station where he was charged and placed on $500 bail. The substance reportedly had a value of $600.

When asked by the Magistrate where he got the drugs, Prince told the court he did not have a name for the supplier. Magistrate John questioned whether he found the supplier in some mystical fashion to which he replied: “You know people on the street and you ask around.”

When questioned why he enquired in the first instance, Prince said it was a personal matter and related that people sometimes do things and go through certain changes. He denied being addicted to the drug and indicated that this was his first time. “This is not a situation that I am too proud of,” Prince offered.

Magistrate John expressed that he held a dim view of cocaine users and drug traffickers of that ilk, adding “Marijuana, there can be some accommodation…” He said crack was very addictive and it was often the young people that would end up getting involved in the use of the drug.

“People have got to be deterred from engaging in (cocaine use) at whatever level,” he said while suggesting that marijuana can be compared to alcohol use in terms of its effects on society.

“It’s a situation of sheer hypocrisy,” Magistrate John stated. He further noted that marijuana has been scientifically proven to have medicinal value but said there was no redeeming aspect to cocaine use.

Prince was fined $2000 to be paid within 72 hours or face an alternative of 18 months in prison.

24 Responses to “'Marijuana? maybe, but not coke!' – Magistrate”

  • Thing to talk! (28/03/2014, 15:47) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

    He was probably coming from by the same cross eye twin he say he aint with! THING TO TALK!!!! LOL...P...ce you need to do better than what you are doing!!.. and it isnt even your first time!!.... Look how its a possibility you will lose your job over drugs.... Shame on you!

    • O.o (28/03/2014, 16:36) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Lord jesus don't sell him out so
    • Raw digger (30/03/2014, 23:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't b so quick to talk other ppl business remember there is a God above ...... U don't know your future
  • Yes (28/03/2014, 16:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    nervous as well
  • sister J (28/03/2014, 16:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    P...ce ask the king for help.

  • que (28/03/2014, 16:32) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why do people use drugs? I mean, what pushed you the first time to stick a needle in your arm? OUCH!
    • Mick Mars (28/03/2014, 16:54) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      It feels good. Simple.
      Depends on if you want to feel good to lime and have a good time, feel good to take your minds off of troubles or feel good to go accomplish something you couldn't do sober. All drugs are not created equal and to be totally honest with you, the world would be a very much better place without 'em.

      It ain't too bad if you take a toke (Weed) chew a stalk (mushrooms) or drop a tab (LSD), but snorting coke and smoking crack and injecting ANYTHING into your bloodstream is the badder part of drugs that the majority of folks should be more worried about. Crack Cocaine don't leave you with no good feelings for more than 10-15 minutes if not less. Only make you want to chase that, same for anything injectable.
  • NOOOOOOOOOOOOO (28/03/2014, 20:57) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Tears.............. This really hurt me, I refuse to read and more, this really hurt me.

    Stay Strong
    Gumption
    • Real Deal (29/03/2014, 17:09) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      To Gumption: unfortunately in this life one cannot always believe what is portrayed on the outside. Yes you do expect this man to uphold a certain lifestyle because he calls on Jah. But he is a human being and may be swayed by negative influences.

      Chin up, we all fall short at times!
      • DJ Gumptiom (30/03/2014, 01:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Real deal, I 100% understand what your saying! After all he is human. I Respect & love my brother still no matter what.

        Respect
  • trrefdrfds (28/03/2014, 22:38) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    If you read the responses he had they all seem to be very general....we don't even know that it was his. People talk to much and want to immediately judge negatively. Of course he will not "rat out" anyone.
    • Truth What!!!!! (29/03/2014, 00:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      He had it didn't he! He's a big man nobody forced him to do anything he didn't want to.
      • trrefdrfds (30/03/2014, 13:59) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
        U really did not understand my point. Any way you can tell when someone is using coke. Does he look like someone that uses? Just answer that.
      • shut the hell up (03/04/2014, 16:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Could tell youre a woman what he never took notice on you ,peep in your damn bowl minding ppl business while yours rotten and stink
  • talent (28/03/2014, 23:13) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    This guy is too talented to allow himself to get caught up in this. I shudder to think what happened to great talent like Whitney Houston and many others. They think they are fine but it eventually catches up with them. Prince use this as a wakeup call and turn away from this. You have come a long way and you have to finish the race well. Don't destroy your destiny.
  • fish (28/03/2014, 23:33) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    He is a good yute why the crown harassing the poor man?
    • Observer (29/03/2014, 06:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @fish, your name really suits you no brain at all if u will think it's harassment
  • dd (28/03/2014, 23:59) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    I for legalization end of story
  • ?? (29/03/2014, 00:32) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Legalize the coke.......? That's what you saying?????? You cant be serious!!
  • wise up (29/03/2014, 07:21) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    the man is getting up in age and need the coke to keep up with the young thing; just saying; so you run go talk it !!!!!!
  • SHOCKED!!! (30/03/2014, 17:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a direct contradiction to what he represents in his songs.....no other artist around here does sing more about honoring jah than him....no explanation can excuse this hypocrisy
  • good people (30/03/2014, 19:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Your not the first so don't worry with ppl just brush off and start all back over everybody make mistake. U all are some of the same ppl who will talk to him with a smile and look now u all stabbing him in the back
  • Irucy (31/03/2014, 09:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put down the coke pipe an' tek up the herb cup
  • tretretrete (31/03/2014, 09:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who talk about people more than him, he needs to live the life he sing about all around. Now it is his turn to get talked about. Turn around is fair play.


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