possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Kofi Omar Dill, of Eastgate Lane, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to handling cocaine which was intended for supply, but entered a not guilty plea to the charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

The 20-year-old college student was arrested after Police in an unmarked car approached him concerning an unrelated matter on October 8 last year.

Dill aroused the officers' suspicion by speeding off on his beige motorcycle.

During the ensuing chase, officers saw him throw an object to the ground.

When an officer retrieved the object it was found to be a bag containing 33 white rock-like substances and four brown paper twists each containing two rock-like substances.

Dill was arrested on suspicion of possession and taken to Hamilton Police Station where he was searched by officers.

Police found $736 on Dill who later claimed in court that his parents had given him the money to send to his daughter's mother abroad.

The 41 rock-like substances were examined and revealed to be 12.7 grammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3,950.

"I wasn't selling those drugs,'' Dill said in his defence. "I was holding them and was given money for holding them. I needed the money as I was just becoming a father.'' Magistrate Edward King found Dill guilty on both counts, as he explained Dill was still intending to supply the drugs to whomever he was holding them for even if he was not planning on selling them directly himself.

"You are fully aware that the drugs in your possession were destined for supply,'' Mr. King said before sentencing Dill.

" The right thinking members of this community take a dim view of dealings in controlled drugs,'' said Mr. King.

"A message must be sent out as clear as a bell that the scourge of illicit drugs is not and will not be tolerated by this community.''