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Sentence increased in drugs case

A prisoner jailed for ten years for conspiracy to import 200 pounds of cannabis into Bermuda has been convicted of a separate charge relating to the same incident.

Kirk Roberts, 42, was yesterday jailed for another four years to run concurrent for admitting handling cannabis with intent to supply.

He had denied possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

In 2002, Roberts, formerly of West Side Road, Sandys was convicted of importing drugs with Alphonso Holder.

While Holder, of St. Vincent, received four years, Roberts was jailed ten years.

Crown counsel Shade Subair told Supreme Court the incident happened on or about December 19, 2000 when Police went to Roberts? home armed with a K-9 dog.

The dog alerted Police to a construction area on Roberts? property. Police then found a large block of cannabis in a hole on the site. A Government analyst determined that the block of cannabis weighed 936.8 grammes (about two pounds) and had a street value of $46,800.

Also found on Roberts? property was brown paper with plant material on it, and an ashtray with seeds and home-made cigarette butts in it. After analysis, traces of cannabis were found.

A blue plastic bag with grey duct tape stuck to it was also discovered.

Ms Subair said finger print impressions on a bag at Roberts? home were later found to match his prints.

Ms Subair said to Puisne Judge Charles Etta-Simmons that little weight should be given to Roberts? guilty plea because he was caught ?red handed?.

She added the decision to run the sentence consecutively or concurrently should be left to the judge.

Defence lawyer Mark Pettingill said: ?This is a sentence that should and must be concurrent.?

Mr. Pettingill said Roberts was accused in 2002 of the charges presented yesterday. But these were severed and the conspiracy charge proceeded.

Mr. Pettingill explained to the court that the charges related to the same incident and that the punishment should fit the crime.

He added that ten years was a ?substantial sentence? and pointed out that Holder only received four years for the same crime.

Roberts had nothing to say to the court before he was sentenced.