A man identified as Carlo M. appeared in court after police found 211 grams of cannabis on him, according to Key News Suriname. Prosecutors suspected he sold it but could not prove it; he said it was for his own use and did not contest possession.
Prosecutors asked for six months in prison, three suspended, plus a SRD 7,000 fine. The court gave six months with three suspended, a SRD 4,000 fine (four weeks in prison if unpaid) and two years' probation. His seized phone and money were ordered returned.
Why it matters: The defendant said the cannabis was for personal use, and prosecutors could not prove otherwise. He still received a partly suspended prison sentence, a fine and probation.
Source: Key News Suriname, 2023-04-07 (translated from Dutch). Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting. An arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.