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USVI man brings ‘weed’ into VI to help him ‘relax’

- fined $5000
Thomas D. Mannix pleaded guilty of being in possession of two packs of marijuana in March 2015 and was fined $5000. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – When Thomas D. Mannix packed among his clothing and other personal belongings two packets of cannabis sativa (marijuana) to bring with him to the Virgin Islands, he thought he was only bringing his “necessaries” to use after a hard day’s work.

Appearing before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards on June 19, 2015 Mannix related that on March 12, 2015 he was indeed guilty of having in his possession a quantity of marijuana, 15.2 grams, when he entered the territory at the West End Ferry Dock from the sister territory of the US Virgin Islands (USVI).

The court heard that the two sacks containing the illegal substance were found separately in the man’s luggage by customs officers who subsequently called the Royal Virgin Island’s Police Force. Each packet was found in a sock.

Mannix reportedly admitted the marijuana was his and was subsequently arrested and charged.

Given the opportunity to say something in his defense, the 46-year-old man told the court he had come to the territory only to spend some time with his mother and to help her with the cleaning of her yard and other things she may have needed help with.

He said he had walked with the ‘weed’ to use, along with a ‘beer’, to help him relax after a hard day’s work. The defendant also told the court he regretted his actions, that it was a mistake and a bad decision on his part.

Mannix also told the court he was very honest and cooperative with the police from the onset and that they were very nice and cooperative with him.

Considering the facts that he was "honest", didn’t waste the court’s time, had no previous conviction, and the prevalence of the crime committed, Ms Richards slapped him with a fine of $5000 which he had to pay forthwith or spend 6 months in prison.

14 Responses to “USVI man brings ‘weed’ into VI to help him ‘relax’”

  • Shocked (21/06/2015, 10:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    MAN IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • weed (21/06/2015, 10:37) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Free the man legalize the weed
  • Just saying (21/06/2015, 10:50) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    waste of court time this thing needs to be legal!!
  • 20 dollars (21/06/2015, 12:28) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fool--he had to pay 5 grand--he could just walk with an extra 20 dollars and get his weed over here. The treasury is 5gran up
  • wize up (21/06/2015, 13:25) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    if he was black; it have been jail time; here is a man brining a control substance in to our country ( drug trafficking) and was given a fine( was he deported)..... yes, run call me a racist but I am just looking at the facts of the matters
  • @20 dollars (21/06/2015, 14:51) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    That is so true he has surely enriched the treasury,2 dime bags on the road and you gonna tell me he ain't know anyone who sells it here. ANYWAY WHO KNOWS if he was carrying more than this and got away Scott free With more. He is a nincompoop.
  • treasury need money (21/06/2015, 15:15) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    we need to stop sending first time offenders to jail---Money, money,money, the treasury needs it--put big fine on them, let them pay and go home--magistrate needs their salary, police need their salary--money,money, money we need it----This a good haul for the treasury.----You act foolish, your bank book pay
  • Joker (21/06/2015, 15:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need all the money you got to give, tell the man to come back soon.
  • SET (21/06/2015, 23:49) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    if he wa a black man she would hav lsot him in jail set of one sided justice
  • It's Tiime (22/06/2015, 10:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's really is time to stop the madness, BVI we must agree that no one ever, ever died from ganja ever in the history of humans, We have to give people the legal rights to at least enjoy a few joint, if the can until them lawless, why not smoke until them hungry or sleepy, for it's of of two results will happen.
  • Nevertheless l (22/06/2015, 15:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Man getting catch with gun and the fine lower than two dime bags wow imagine that the charge had even drop imagine that
  • bobo (22/06/2015, 16:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    See you
  • Wellsah (24/06/2015, 12:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    15.2 grams and this man was fined $5000? Come on. Legalize the thing and done.


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