A Westgate Correctional Facility inmate has been sentenced to one year and 30 days’ imprisonment for possessing cannabis.

In Magistrates’ Court this morning, Devon Hewey, 27, admitted possessing 2.72g of the controlled drug at the prison — an increased penalty zone — in Sandys on November 7 last year.

Prosecutor Maria Sofianos told the court that Hewey’s maximum security cell was searched and a clear plastic twist containing plant material was found in the ventilation unit.

In court today, Hewey pleaded guilty but maintained that the drugs must have been placed there by a previous inmate because the ventilation system was sealed. He said he had no knowledge of the drugs and that a drug test he did came back clear.

When asked by magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo why he was pleading guilty, Hewey replied that he did not want to waste the court’s time and wanted to get the matter dealt with.

Ms Sofianos added that the conviction could impact his eligibility for parole, but Hewey said he was serving a life sentence and will not be eligible for parole for 40 years.

Because Hewey took responsibility for the drugs, Mr Tokunbo sentenced Hewey to 30 days’ imprisonment and added another year because they were found in an increased penalty zone.

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