Nassau, BAHAMAS-A magistrate fined a man $800 for breaking strict coronavirus lockdown measures to buy Grabba Leaf.
Police arrested 28-year-old Herbert Edgecombe for breaching the nationwide lockdown on April 11.
When officers asked Edgecombe why he was walking on Graham Drive in Yellow Elder at 8:35pm, he said was going to buy Grabba Leaf to smoke.
Before imposing the $800 fine, Magistrate Sandradee Gardiner said, “You broke the lockdown to smoke. This is going to be the most expensive smoke of your life.”
Edgecombe has until Friday to pay the fine. If he doesn’t meet the deadline, he will be jailed for one month.
Under the lockdown that began at 9pm on April 8 and ended at 5am today, residents were confined to their homes unless going to work at an essential business, or for a medical emergency.
Violators of the curfews and lockdowns face a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.
However, Gardiner did not impose fines in excess of $800 today.
Police stopped Shannandor Williams, 20, riding his bicycle around 9am on April 12.
Williams said he was going to sell Grabba Leaf to a friend.
The magistrate said, “I hope you made some money because you’re going to give the government some of that.”
Williams has to pay an $800 fine by Friday to avoid spending one month in prison.
Sanchez Delva said he violated the lockdown on April 13 because he was looking for something to eat.
He didn’t say whether he got the meal, but the decision to flout the rule cost him $400.
Delva has to pay up by April 17 to avoid spending one month in prison.
The next lockdown comes into effect at 9pm on April 17 and ends at 5am on April 21.
The aim of the lockdowns and curfews are to reduce community spread of the coronavirus.
As of April 14, there were 49 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with eight deaths.
