Fallen on hard times after her husband, a CEPEP worker, was not paid four consecutive salaries, Adana Stewart decided to sell marijuana as a supplement income.
Stewart told San Fernando magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine she knew her actions were wrong, but she needed money to care for her seven children.
Stewart, 36, who is jointly charged with her common-law husband Dwayne Lutchman, said Lutchman is the father of her two youngest children. She said her other children also live with them, but their father died on October 2 and “I have no one to help me.”
Stewart and Lutchman pleaded guilty last week Friday in the First Court to possession of 130 grammes of marijuana.
Stewart was granted $20,000, but Lutchman was denied bail for a check to be done on his criminal record. Lutchman, however, was not brought from the prison yesterday and his matter was adjourned to November 3. The couple was arrested last Thursday after the police executed a search warrant at her Ste Madeleine home.
Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said a bag containing 20 foil packets of marijuana was found in ceiling in one of the bedrooms.
Stewart said her husband had not been paid for four fortnights. Asked why she was not working, Stewart said she had a young baby who did not want to stay with anyone but her. “Selling marijuana is not a way out of your debt,” said the magistrate as she fined her $5,000. The magistrate granted Stewart’s request for five months to pay the fine, but in default she could serve six months in jail.