A cruise ship worker has been sentenced to two years in prison for conspiring to import cannabis.

Appearing in Magistrates’ Court this morning, Lindel Primus pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to import 1,898.5 grams of the controlled drug to Bermuda between a date unknown and September 16.

The 30-year-old had denied the offence, as well as possessing the drugs with intent to supply, at a previous court appearance.

The Crown today accepted his plea and offered no evidence on the possession charge.

Prosecutor Cindy Clarke told the court that Primus — a utility galley worker on board the Norwegian Breakaway — had the drugs in his possession when he attempted to leave the ship on September 16.

During a routine pat-down, four packages were found concealed under blue spandex bike shorts and secured with rubber bands.

The packages were removed and the police were called. Together with the ship’s security team they searched Primus’ room and recovered a piece of paper containing an e-mail address and password.

Ms Clarke said the drugs would have been worth $94,925 if sold on the streets of Bermuda.

She added that Primus had admitted to bringing in cannabis successfully twice before.

Defence lawyer Susan Moore-Williams told the court that Primus, who resides in Grenada, committed the offence because he “was driven by the desire to assist his family as best as he could”. Primus, who the court heard takes care of five children and his grandmother, also apologised to the courts, saying he had been a fool.

“Unfortunately you realised you were a fool when it was too late,” magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo said. “You gambled and you lost.”

Mr Tokunbo sentenced Primus to two years’ imprisonment with time already served taken into account.

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