by Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

western bureau

A 48-year-old British National who tried to smuggle six kilograms of ganja out of Jamaica, was given a three-month prison sentence in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Pauline Hines, a floor manager at a major fast food restaurant chain in London, England, pleaded guilty to possession, dealing and attempting to export ganja.

Hines was arrested on January 29 when she was held at the Sangster International Airport with the contraband.

She could spend an extra three months if she is unable to pay the fines of $15,000 for possession and $100,000 for attempting to export.

Her attorney, Albert Morgan, pleaded with RM Winsome Henry to be lenient with his client as she suffers from diabetes.

He explained that Miss Hines, who resides in a council house, gave in to the temptation when asked to transport drugs, as she needed money to pay off council taxes and rent in arrears.

He said that his client had told her family she was heading for France, but instead came to Jamaica for the sole purpose of transporting the drugs.

"I was caught in a vulnerable moment," the convicted woman told RM Henry.

However, RM Henry advised her that the next time she had financial problems, she should turn to her children and family.

The court heard that about 4:30 p.m. on January 29, Hines checked in to board a Virgin Atlantic flight from the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to the Gatwick, London.

A suitcase she checked in was searched and 10 packages of ganja were found.

Ms. Hines allegedly said at the time: "I know I have weed there, so what happens now".