yesterday appeared in Magistrates' Court on drugs charges.

Dean A. Ming, Dean A. Robinson, Paul Lindo and Antoine Hunt were all charged with possessing cannabis on July 24 in Pembroke.

And Donald DeSilva, of Green Acres Road, Devonshire, was charged with possessing 141 grams of cannabis with intent for supply on July 24 and possessing cannabis in Devonshire on July 25.

He denied both charges and will return to court on November 24 for trial. He was released on $500 bail.

Ming, Robinson and Hunt all pleaded guilty to the possession charges.

Prosecutor Insp. Anthony Mouchette said Narcotic and uniformed Police staged a joint operation at the Dandy Town Sports Club on St. John's Road around 5.30 p.m.

Hunt, 32, of Spanish Point Road, Pembroke, was arrested at the sports club with more than six grams of cannabis in his possession.

Police discovered the 6.84 grams of cannabis inside a plastic bag which was hidden under the seat of his Suzuki cycle.

Hunt told Police that he purchased the drugs on Court Street for $50.

But Insp. Mouchette pointed out that 6.84 grams of cannabis could not be purchased in Bermuda for only $50 and argued that Hunt should be penalised for being caught with drugs in a no-go zone.

Drug offenders receive a higher penalty for being caught with drugs in special off-limit zones like schools, playgrounds and sports clubs.

However, Senior Magistrate Will Francis said he did not have to hike up Hunt's fine since he did not purchase the cannabis at the sports club.

Hunt was fined $700 for possessing the cannabis.

But Ming, 37, of Deep Bay Lane, Pembroke, received an additional $1,000 fine for buying drugs at the sports club.

Ming was spotted driving a dark grey car away from the club and was eventually stopped by Police near Point Mart in Spanish Point.

Ming, a taxi driver, told Police that he had a bag of weed in his sock. A search produced an envelope containing 0.78 grams of cannabis.

"I just bought it for my personal use,'' he told Police.

Insp. Mouchette said the cannabis was purchased at the Dandy Town sports club for $25.

Lawyer Michael Scott pointed out that his client was only the purchaser of a small quantity of drugs.

"This operation was zeroing in on the sale of drugs in the Dandy Town area,'' Mr. Scott said. "But he was not charged with trafficking.'' Mr. Francis ordered Ming to pay a $100 fine plus an additional $1,000 for being in an increased penalty zone.

And Robinson, 31, of Daisy Field Drive, Sandys, was stopped by Police on St.

John's Road after he visiting Dandy Town.

A search uncovered an envelope containing 0.87 grams of cannabis.

Robinson, a construction worker, told Police that he purchased the cannabis in Somerset for $50. He said he smoked some of the marijuana and had planned to use the rest later.

Mr. Scott, who also represented Robinson, pointed out to Mr. Francis that the drug transaction did not take place at the sports club so he should not be penalised for being in a no-go zone.

Mr. Francis ordered Robinson to pay a $100 fine.

Lindo, of Ocean Breeze, Southampton, was released on $500 bail to return to court on November 27 for trial on possession of cannabis.

DRUGS DGS