AN auto body repairman who attempted to smuggle 12 pounds of ganja out of the island to Trinidad and Tobago, was last week sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Garfield Belnavis, 35, of Bull Bay in St Thomas was also fined $149, 400 after he pleaded guilty to drug charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrates Court. He will spend an additional six months in prison if the fine is not paid.

Belnavis was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport on November 17 after the drug was found in his luggage as he was preparing to leave for Trinidad.

Twenty-three small parcels of ganja were found in a false compartment at the top and bottom of his suitcase.

Belnavis, who was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey, was fined

$15,000 or six months for possession, $38,000 or six months for dealing and $96,000 or six months for taking steps to export the drug in addition to the mandatory 18-month sentence.