By: Drizel Hanley

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (JANUARY, 2018)-A professional Leeward Island cricketer who hails from St. Kitts was on Monday of this week (15th January) arrested at the V C Bird International Aiport in Antigua for the possession of Cannibis.

23-year-old Akeem Monsell Saunders was caught with 13 grams of the illegal substance, which was said to be concealed in a shoe in his suitcase.

Saunders was in transit (in Antigua) to St. Kitts from Jamaica aboard Caribbean Airlines on flight No. 459 and due to depart for St. Kitts on LIAT Flight No. 521.

The estimated street value of the cannibis is approximately $130.00 Eastern Caribbean Dollars.

He was taken into police custody and is expected to be slapped with several charges including Possession of Cannabis and Importation of Cannabis.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in recent times, has been discussing the move towards the decriminalization of marijuana and to allow the possession of a small amount for medical purposes.

But for now, the possession of any amount of marijuana is an offence and punishable by law.

Heavy fines are imposed and any person caught carrying cannabis is whatever form may be fined or confined and in some cases both.