A Pembroke man caught with cocaine and cannabis in an increased penalty zone has been fined $3,400.

Rudolph Smith, 55, pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs on Dundonald Street, within 100 yards of Heritage Nursery and Preschool, on January 8.

The court heard that at about 5.15pm that day, police were told that there was a drug deal in progress near the bar Place’s Place. When the officers arrived, they saw two men who appeared to be making a hand-to-hand transaction and arrested both.

While there, they noticed Smith standing near by. The officers said he seemed nervous and appeared to be clutching something in his left hand.

Officers searched Smith and found a plastic bag containing plantlike material in his hand. A further search revealed a plastic twist containing three pieces of a white, rock-like substance hidden in the rim of his hat.

Tests later confirmed the bag held 1.5 grammes of cannabis, while the twist contained 0.25 grammes of cocaine freebase, also known as crack.

Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Smith $800 for the cocaine and a further $600 for the cannabis, adding $1,000 to each offence because the offences took place in an increased penalty zone.