Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU

A 53-year-old man, who ingested almost a kilogram of cocaine in an attempt to take it out of the island, was handed a six-month sentence when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court.

Norris Simpson, a truck driver of Portmore, St. Catherine on Tuesday pleaded guilty to possession, dealing in and attempting to export the drug claiming that he was experiencing financial problems.

He told RM Evan Brown that he needed over $150,000 to fix a truck, which had been in an accident. He said that he uses the truck to deliver goods and that it was his means of providing for his wife and his four children.

"Dem (drug dealers) tell mi seh everything woulda all right at the airport," he told RM Brown.

However, RM Brown, in passing the sentence said he was impressed that the accused at 53, had never been in trouble with the law and he was trying to provide for his family. RM Brown said he saw nothing exceptional about Simpson's situation that would convince him not to give the accused a custodial sentence.

Simpson was fined $80,000 for possession and $240,000 for attempting to export. If the fines are not paid he would spend an additional six months in prison.

The facts outlined in court are that on December 6 Simpson was interviewed after he checked in to board a Martin Air flight at the Sangster International Airport. He was subsequently taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was admitted after an x-ray revealed foreign substance in his stomach.

Between December 6 and 9 he passed out 58 pellets of cocaine. When arrested and cautioned he said, "mi truck break down and mi ah look a money".