A 22-year-old agricultural worker from St. Michael, Barbados, has been placed on a six-month judicial bond after confessing to multiple cannabis-related violations in Bridgetown’s District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court. Donte Rudolph Leroy Forde of Cutting Road, Haggatt Hall, admitted guilt regarding possession, trafficking, and intent to distribute 217 grams of the illicit substance seized on December 10.
According to Station Sergeant Chrisna Williams’ courtroom testimony, the infraction occurred during a coordinated operation involving both the Barbados Police Service and Barbados Defence Force personnel. Officers intercepted Forde while he was driving through the Haggatt Hall area, immediately detecting the potent odor of cannabis emanating from his vehicle. Following consent for a search, authorities discovered multiple transparent plastic bags containing the drug within a blue string bag positioned on the floorboard.
The defendant voluntarily acknowledged ownership of the substances, stating unequivocally to law enforcement: ‘That is my marijuana.’ The confiscated cannabis carried an estimated street valuation of BDS $1,085.
Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes delivered a combined sentencing arrangement: Forde received a formal reprimand and discharge for the possession and intent to supply charges, while the trafficking violation resulted in a six-month bond. The court stipulated that any breach of this bond would necessitate an immediate payment of BDS $1,000 or alternatively incur a 120-day incarceration period.