A St George’s man today admitted attempting to smuggle cannabis into the Prison Farm correctional facility.

Damon Darrell, 32, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court this morning to possessing just under two grams of the controlled drug on November 15, 2012.

The court heard Darrell was serving a four-year sentence at the Ferry Reach Road, St George’s facility at the time of the offence.

Darrell, who was involved in a work-release programme at the time, returned to the Farm shortly after 4pm.

Prison officers noticed he appeared to be hiding something in his mouth and informed Darrell of their suspicions. He attempted to flee but was soon apprehended.

A subsequent search turned up two small, clear plastic bags containing 1.66 grams of plant-like material, which was later found to be cannabis.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner released Darrell on $1,000 bail and ordered him to return to court next Friday for sentencing.

In an unrelated matter, a Warwick man was fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to possessing more than ten grams of cannabis.

Leroy Wade said he was in the midst of a tough period in his life, with nowhere to live, and grieving the loss of his father.

Mr Warner asked him whether the cannabis — some of which was found packaged into smaller quantities, along with $340 cash — was for Wade’s own personal use or distribution.

“It was for personal use. I was going to smoke it all,” Wade said.

The 25-year-old was arrested in July after officers spotted him riding an auxiliary cycle without a helmet along Smith Avenue in Warwick.

With warrants out for Wade’s arrest, officers informed him he would be searched and detained, at which point he confessed, saying: “I have to be honest with you. I have a little weed on me.”