West End man owns marijuana, disowns cocaine

West End resident Kerrison Smith has entered split pleas in relation to a July 2016 incident in which he allegedly was found with marijuana and cocaine.

Smith, who was initially charged with possession of marijuana, is also now charged with possession of 30.9 grams of cocaine with intent to supply to another.

During a recent appearance before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards, Smith admitted to being in possession of the marijuana, but he pleaded not guilty to the cocaine charge.

He is scheduled to return to the Magistrate’s Court next month.

The prosecution reported that, about two o’clock on the morning of July 4 last year, police saw the accused man loitering near bushes in Josiah’s Bay.

He told police he was in the area to visit a friend.

The court heard that a Caucasian man appeared with cash in hand, and Smith allegedly admitted that he was in the area to purchase marijuana.

He was searched and police allegedly found 0.8 grams of the illegal substance.

Police then searched the bushes where Smith initially was seen. They claimed that they found a black pouch containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine.

Smith told law enforcers that the bag did not belong to him, the court heard.

However, police allegedly found a driver’s licence bearing the name ‘Kerrison Smith’ of Towers in West End inside the cocaine pouch.

The law enforcers further claimed that they saw dried tobacco and wrapping paper in Smith’s vehicle.

Smith was taken into custody and reportedly found with approximately $2,400 cash.

He subsequently was charged.