A Canadian woman accused of attempting to leave the island with 18.6 kgs (41 lb) of marijuana was devastated when she received a mandatory nine-month sentence when she appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

The woman, who was charged jointly with her 13-year-old niece, appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown to answer to charges of possession, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja.

Luggage was searched

The court was told that on the day in question, the accused and her niece were leaving the island for Toronto, when their luggage was searched and four bags with a total of 41 breadfruits, containing marijuana were found. A lawyer defending them asked the court to drop the charges against the youngster, saying she was completely innocent and had no knowledge of what transpired.

The accused woman pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, but told the court that she had been asked to take the items to Canada by a hairdresser she met in Portmore. She said she went to Portmore by taxi and was introduced to the hairdresser by a cousin.

Though the accused tried desperately to convince the court that she was not aware that the drugs had been put in her bag, her attorney repeatedly told the court that his client was accepting full responsibility for her actions and was seeking the mercy of the court.

Hairdresser

The accused, who was hysterical throughout the proceedings, repeatedly said she did not know what was in the bag and gave the court the name of the cousin who introduced her to the hairdresser and also provided the hairdresser's name.

The attorney, Earnest Davis, however, told the court that his client was the mother of two children and was six months pregnant. He also asked for a non-custodial sentence, especially in the interest of the unborn child.

Senior RM Glen Brown, however, explained that he had to be consistent with his sentences and asked what if the accused woman had made it to Canada without being detected. The attorney replied, "Maybe she would have tried it again".

Senior RM Brown said he believed the accused woman took a "calculated risk which backfired."

The accused was sentenced to $15,000 or six months for possession, admonished and discharged for dealing and $100,000 or six months for taking steps to export the drug. In addition, she will have to serve nine months. If her fines are not paid, she will serve 15 months.