Tyrique Kheele Michael Cuffie, a Canadian man who arrived in Barbados on Monday with more than his personal effects in his suitcase, is facing two years in prison.
The 21-year-old from Lombard, Toronto, was sent to the Dodds prison on Wednesday after he was unable to pay a $20,000 fine by the end of the day’s sitting at the Oistins Magistrate’s Court.
Cuffie arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport shortly before 4 a.m. and station sergeant Glenda Carter-Nicholls said he then proceeded to customs where his suitcase was searched and 20 vacuum-sealed packages containing a vegetable substance were found.
“I know drugs in my suitcase,” Cuffie allegedly told police when asked to account for the 7.6 kilogrammes of marijuana which had an estimated BDS$60,800 street value.
Addressing Magistrate Elwood Watts, Cuffie apologized for his actions before the fine was imposed on the charge on importation. He was convicted, reprimanded and discharged on the charges of possession, possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to traffick the illegal substance.
