by Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU

The mother of two teenage brothers convicted of attempting to smuggle hashish out of the island, has also found herself in trouble for the same offence.

Her run in with the authorities came after she was caught trying to export drugs in an effort to get money to pay fines imposed on her sons.

Carlene Nelson, of Canada and Hanover, Jamaica addresses, pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in and attempting to export four kilograms of ganja on Wednesday.

She was sentenced to twelve months in prison at hard labour in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

The mother was also fined $30,000 for possession, $48,000 for dealing and $96,000 attempting to export. If the fines are not paid, she will have to serve an additional six months in prison.

wrong action

Nelson told RM Wilson Smith that she knew that her actions were wrong, but she was desperate as she wanted to pay her sons' fines. She added that one of her children was sick and needed to see a doctor in Canada and she needed the money.

She was arrested on September 9 at the Sangster International Airport after she was taken from an Air Canada flight destined for Toronto.

A sniffer dog alerted a narcotics officer to a suitcase she had checked in. The suitcase was searched in her presence and nine packages of the contraband were recovered from her luggage.