American Tourist Fined $2,000 For Cannabis
In Magistrates Court this morning [June 6], 28-year-old Typhanie Wolman, an American tourist from NYC, was fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to importing the illegal drug cannabis through LF Wade International airport on 4th June 2011.
The Prosecutor said that on a secondary Customs search, an X-Ray of her luggage had shown a baby powder container with unusual items in it.
A later Police search showed that the baby powder container had a plastic twist in it and analysis showed that the twist contained 3.0 grams of the illegal drug cannabis.
Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo asked if this was her first time visiting Bermuda. Replying that it was, the Magistrate then went on to say: “Bermuda is another world” and “Welcome to Bermuda.”
Ms Wolman pointed out that she’d missed her return flight this morning but was hoping to catch the afternoon flight to NYC. Fining her the $2,000, Magistrate Tokunbo also ordered that it be paid forthwith or she would have to spend 60 more days in Bermuda, though not in a plush hotel.
Ms Wolman said that she had $1,700 in her possession and, turning to friends behind her, she would be able to find the balance.
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Seem’s to be the thing now with the comment’s made by magistrates. I hope when the comment’s come back at them that they can take it.
I was thinking the same thing…
When deez peeple gunna lurn…jingus…….
Concealed. Well, that establishes “Importation” and the intent.
$1700? Silly girl…she could get some good stuff here in Bermuda for less than that.
Then again….the ‘old bay powder gig’ might have been a ‘dry run……bwahaaaaa.
I need a …….
LOL like Holler!!
Tsk tsk
WHAT A DUMB DUMB!
One more tourist we don’t have to worry about ever coming back to Bermuda. The war on weed is killing us all.
YES MATE, …please tell us all what you mean by “The war on weed is killing us all”.
Really how do you come to that conlusion. Are you talking about arrests, bad press, it should be legal, no big deal, giving Bermuda a bad image, more people should bring in 3grams, ….
Try importing that much in some Asian countries. Life in prison and/or death for larger amounts. Try walsing into JFK/Newark/Philly/Atlanta/Toronto/Vancouver/Heathrow/Paris. You think they just wave you through?
It’s comments like yours that make the demise of Bermuda even more certain.
I need ah……….
You need ah…reality check. Weed is less harmful than that rum you like to say that you drink so much. When was the last time you heard a doctor prescribe scotch? Keeping weed illegal only harms society by making criminals of hard working people who get caught with a spliff and giving criminals a lucrative trade to engage in and street corners to wage war over, and results in millions of dollars leaving the country every month. I really don’t care what is legal or illegal in other countries Terry. Just because one country has a law does that mean we should have it too? Sharia law in Muslim countries bans women from getting an education. In Singapore you need to show identification to buy a pack of chewing gum. Should we do that here? Every Bermudian knows at least ten people who draw regular, even you Terry. Why don’t you help prevent Bermuda’s demise by turning them in? If the war on drugs works, why don’t you do your part? Oh. It isn’t working, that’s why you choose not to participate because it’s a waste of time and resources.
And no I don’t smoke weed or anything else so I can freely go waltzing or as you say “walsing” through any airport I choose.
THATS WHY AMERICA IS LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND US DUMB BERMUDIANS ARE GETTING PUT ON THE STOP LIST LOL FUNNY HOW THE LAW WORKS ….. HOW IS IT THAT BERMUDIANS ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO AMERICA IF THEY GET CAUGHT WITH JUST ONE SPLIFF !! AND CONVICTED RAPICST MURDERERS AND HARDCORE DRUG DEALERS CAN COME TO BERMUDA!!! WHY ARE BERMUDIANS BEING PUT ON A STOP LIST FOR A DRUG THAT IS LEGAL IN THE SAME COUNTRY THAT IS STOPING US FROM COMING TO THIER COUNTRY ???? I REALY DONT UNDERSTAND HOW BERMUDA MAKES ITS LAWS AND UNDERHANDED DEALS BUT IF YOU ASK ME THIS SEEMS LIKE A WAY TO KEEP US BERMUDIANS GLUED TO THE ROCK AND ENSLAVES US SO THAT WE CAN BE PART OF THE STATISTCS ……. BERMUDA IS A REAL TIHS HOLE
Weed isn’t legal in the states. A handful of states have legalized medical marijuana and you need a prescription to legally possess it. Bermuda does not put people on the US stoplist, the US does, specifically the US consulate here in Bermuda. If we decriminalize weed then no one will go to court for it and therefore not get put on the stoplist.
No Mate, you’ve got it all wrong… the US doesn’t put people on their stop list – STUPID PEOPLE WITH DRUGS PUT THEMSELVES ON THE STOP LIST!!
FACT!!!!!!
Is prohibition passé?
So should pot be illegal? Opinions differ, but polls show broad public support for legalized medical marijuana. And given budget needs, lots more states will likely be joining the 15 that have already approved the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Justin Hartfield, the CEO of WeedMaps.com, an online guide to medical-marijuana dispensaries that sell the plants, thinks most states will approve medical marijuana over the next 10 to 15 years.
The big business of Pot
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It’s already a big business. Hartfield puts the number of pot dispensaries nationwide at about 2,000, mostly in California and Colorado. They sell about $1.7 billion worth of marijuana a year, which will double over the next five years, according to a See Change Strategy report called “The State of the Medical Marijuana Markets 2011.” Pakulis, of General Cannabis, thinks that estimate is way too low. He puts annual sales at $4 billion to $5 billion.
Whatever the numbers — and it’s notoriously difficult to cut through the haze in this shadowy commodity sector — sales are likely to grow rapidly over the next five years, especially if President Barack Obama stays in office.
Despite approvals in some states, marijuana possession of any sort is still illegal under federal law. But in 2009, the Obama administration instructed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offices across the country to mellow out and de-emphasize busts of marijuana dispensaries and their customers, in a dramatic policy shift from that of the previous administration.
watch and see how many states change thier laws within the next few years!!!!! you people are pathetic just like the governments that run this world …… its a sad day when something thats on paper says it’s rite you believe – but when something is plain and simple in your face you cant see it because the piece of paper says otherwise…. if the dr tells you its good for you you take it … then three months later theres a recall for the same prescription your dr prescribed LOL and your already dead … hey i dont mind you people are too assanine if you ask me so you can reep what you soe
Boo-ya-kah!!! Boo-ya-kah!!
Concealed – IMPORTATION!!!!
Ok…Organic you grow your own….big deal. You know what I meant. Not like they had it in their bloody bra……………………..
Lord…no wonder this place is falling apart.
That is why they should make it legal instead of losing the tourist. Because in there country this would not have even reached the courts due to the Quantity. Just sayin, not sayin that she should not be punished but come on Bermuda in these times do we really need to be losing tourist.
Is this the type of tourist we want?? Nooooooooo. Stay home and keep your illegal drugs with you. We do not need this type of tourist here.
@ common sense? – what type of tourist r they? gimme a break. all dey wanna do is smoke der spliff by the water and chill out/relax and spend $$$, and ya its illegal but still, they aint tryna shoot things up, sell drugs, not spend money, etc etc. ya lumpin all “this type of tourist” into one category for de worse. smh
We do not need this type of tourist here??? Would you prefer those who drink alcohol and become drunk and abusive?
I hate to break it to you but, in this economy we need “every type of tourist” we can get!!
I am amazed at how easily the tourists with weed are picked up but the regular, big shipments just seem to get through undetected. It’s somethin’ isn’t it?
I am with you here….Makes you really wonder!!!
Things that make you say hmmmmmmm?
For the simple fact she tried to smuggle it in. She should have done a week in prison. She obviously knows the value here and figure she can pay for her plane ticket and cover the expense of the weed.
What about the Granny who got thrirty days and a $3000 for less? this womoan clearly knew she was smuggling the drugs in and she gets to walk? where is the equality?
So True Kim, and the difference is they are honest about what they are doing. But no they will never get the big guys because they all work together.
The war on drugs is a failure and can not be stopped.
People visit an Island to get away from it all and chill with a spliff , when I was working hotel , most of our visitor’s would ask where they can find some herb . I was never asked where to find hard drugs . Now they bring it with them and get caught , so no chilling in Bermuda any more . Our visitor numbers will keep on falling .
Thats why most take cruises….you can get high on most ships just standing downwind.
But it is easier here to shakedown a few rooms and stuff here on cruise ships. As for the big stuff? That still comes in at the east and west ends……
Lobsters anyone………..
Yeah , I took a cruise once and you could smell the herb every night ,and it was all old folks on board too.
But for real catch them fine them yes but 2-3grand come now that a bit much.
Well well my fellow Bermudians,I am happy to say to the Bermuda Public that the war on drugs is being won very handsomely in Bermuda and you will never convince those people getting caught and convicted in court also out of pocket…otherwise… whether it was a dry run or testing the waters for bigger things later or as one person says dumb dumb.Just wait and watch the assets being seized as a result of illegal activity and the ankle bracelets and greater penalties and foreign lockups and much much more to come.Bermuda is sick and tired of this illegal behavior and wholesale corruption which wants to reign free..some of us are determined to clean up our Island for our children and children to yet be born to give them a decent environment and legacy so they can sing that song …Proud to be Bermudian.!The weeds just have to keep on grumbling as they are being pulled up….one weed at a time.Well done right minded Bermudians.!Congratulations to all who are Against Gangs, illegal Drugs and Violence and corruption….the war is being won ..make no mistake about it.Choose your side.!
The war are drugs is a faliure and alwyas will be, guess you missed the article. Keep your rose colored glasses on til the cows come home, the black market is always one step ahead sorry to say. One drug bust and you equate that to winning? Funny
@ takbir – one thing bout it is de war ain’t being one: FACT. an guess what it’s only illegal cuz some guy in a suit told you it was. be ya own person and figure it all out yaself. funny thing bout it is that ya last sentence contradicts its self haha cuz they all tied up togetha!! haha
I’m right there with you Takbir! To all those saying ‘Legalize it’, remember that most of the people shooting innocent victims are spliffin’ too. Someone can easily be high, walk in the wrong house and kill someone, cuz they were high. Marijuana = delusion.
Um you do realize that your comment makes no sense whatsoever. Do you really think the people shooting innocent victims are currently not smoking marijuana cause it is illegal? Do you know this to be a true scenario or are you just making crap up?
Thanks for putting a price on your comment……….at least it its an honest price that you are charging. Two cents is fair.!
Like to see people make a stand like Takbir. You and I go back a ways.
Now lets see what “two cents says about the latest 4 men arrested for conspiracy to import Heroin et al. Great stuff. My supplyer makes millions and um steal f… up.
Lets legalize that to……….
I need a rum.
Drinking alcohol shou8ld be illegal cause it makes you stupid and harms your liver. You should go eat your dandelion leaves which are good for your liver instead of drinking that horrible sugary rum.
The judge was perfectly correct! What is this woman trying to do – put the local dealers out of business??
Next time she comes to Bermuda she needs to buy her weed here. Now that’s stimulating the local economy!
Well I like right —-minded people who are not afraid to call a spade….no pun intended..!I call a weed a weed… again no pun intended we need…..to pull up the weeds in Bermuda whether they be the two legged weeds or the home grown weeds or the foreign weeds.A weed is a weed is a weed Period.!Whether they be the weeds who hide behind pseudonym names or the weeds in high places or low places..!Weeds are scum and kill the plants in the garden in the kinder garden and the Beautiful Flowers in the Bermuda Society… this war on drugs needs Weed Killer …Raids here and the weeds are trembling. The roaches are coming out of the woodwork.Hiding in the weeds are a lot of surprises also!Since I don’t know any of the people behind the pen names here I have no personal axe to grind…..they are safe behind their pen names for now.!Justice will root them out.!Crime busters….and the Po…Po.!Good work guys we support this War on Drugs.
its not a ‘War on Drugs’ its a war on individual free citizens of a once great world. So what if someone wants to smoke a joint, I’m not attacking you in any way, harming you or your family in any way so why must you hate me and want to see me incarcerated at your expense. You are such a naive individual
There are many types of weeds that are healing that we stupidly kill with toxic weed killer, which ends up in the water supply and eventually kills us. All that weed killer to kill the very things that heal us. Ever heard of dandelion leaves? You can eat them and they are very good for you. You go ahead and spray your toxic weed killer in your yard and I will let my weeds grow so I can eat them and be healthy.
Lol why you people just can’t read the story & leave it as is, your comments don’t change fux,they are of as no significance as this comment!
http://drug-war.us/
The only thing that pisses me off about this is the inconsistency in punishment!! How is it that one tourist gets jail time plus a fine for bringing in medical marijuana plus this person who admitted to trying to smuggle in drugs gets to go home if she pays the fine of $2000??? WTF am I missing something here???