Shopkeeper sells ganja to support children

The St James Parish Court has requested a social enquiry report to help determine the fate of a female shopkeeper, who admitted to selling ganja in her shop in order to support her children.

Kadian Blake, 37, of a Sign, Irwin address, pleaded guilty to possession of and dealing in ganja when she appeared before Parish Judge Sandria Wong-Small last Wednesday. She is to return to court on November 8 for sentencing.

While the date of Blake’s arrest was not disclosed, the court was told that the police, while on patrol in the community, went to the accused’s shop and found one and a half pounds of ganja at the establishment.

“What were you doing with the ganja?” Wong-Small asked Blake.

“All I’m doing is trying to take care of my three children, and I was just selling the weed to take care of them,” Blake said.

“I understand what you are saying, ma’am, but by making the best effort you can send a wrong message,” Wong-Small told the defendant.

It was also disclosed that Blake was contesting the amount of ganja which was reportedly found at the shop, as she was saying that it was less than what the police had reported.

On that basis, Wong-Small ordered the social enquiry report. She also deferred sentencing in order for the amount of ganja to be confirmed.