Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves yesterday asked Government to ?give magistrates proper power? and to ?take a serious look? at the 30-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act.

Mr. Greaves made the comment after saying he could only fine a man $10,000 or sentence him to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to importing $16,500 of crack cocaine with intent to supply.

He said other countries now gave stronger sentencing powers to magistrates for drug offences and ?the time has come to increase the fines a magistrate can impose?.

And he said he was also ?without proper guidance? on sentencing procedures after the son of a former Cabinet Minister was earlier given three years probation in the Supreme Court after admitting importing $11,325 worth of cannabis.

Mr. Greaves told Fernando Perez, 31, that he was going to fine him after the Sun Valley Road, Warwick, admitted importing 52.92 grams of crack cocaine.

He noted that Perez was not charged with importation of drugs with intent to supply, despite expert testimony that said the drugs were meant for sale.

And he admitted he was ?reminded of the case of Nelson Bascome in the Supreme Court, where the defendant was given a three-year probation for simple importation of drugs of a value over $11,000. ?This case is in appeal and am therefore without proper guidance. The sentence is $10,000 or five years imprisonment, or both, for intent to supply.

?In these courts this is only for importation with intent to supply. But, I must take into account the value of over $16,000 and sentence you to the maximum fine of $10,000.?