A Barbadian man caught attempting to smuggle more than 700g of cocaine through LF Wade International Airport has been jailed for six-and-a-half years by the Supreme Court.David Trotman, a former chef for Cambridge Beaches, was deemed “significant player” in the realm of drug smuggling to the Island — with Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke also telling the court he was a drug mule motivated by personal profit.Trotman pleaded guilty last month to the December 18, 2012 offence of importation and possession with intent to supply.Appearing yesterday before Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons, the 40-year-old father of two said he thanked God for giving him the courage to own up to his crime.According to Ms Clarke, Trotman brought the drugs hidden in a false computer lap pad on a commercial flight from Miami, Florida.The 741g of cocaine would have sold for $178,125, had it reached Bermuda’s streets.However, Customs officers at LF Wade International Airport found his conduct suspicious, as Trotman kept listening to loud music through headphones while being questioned, and seemed to be trying to avoid inspection.Trotman claimed the lap pad had been a gift from his aunt, but couldn’t start the device when taken aside by officers.It was found to be a metal case, coated in rubber and containing two packages of cocaine.Trotman’s lawyer Michael Scott argued that his client was not “a career criminal” but had given an early guilty plea to importation and shown contrition. He said Trotman’s crime warranted five years’ imprisonment.Mr Scott said Trotman had attended church while on bail, had turned his life over to God, and apologised to Bermuda and the Government.As a qualified executive chef, his crime was out of character, Mr Scott continued — adding that Trotman hoped to teach culinary skills while incarcerated.Trotman told the court he was “grateful for this adversity”, as he had become a Christian “along with my fiancee at home and my stepdaughter”.“Having been at Westgate the last six weeks, I see there is a lot of darkness, and also a lot of love,” he added.Mrs Justice Simmons told him: “The court has seen many a defendant sing the praises of their new-found faith in God.”She added: “The court can only hope you still have the strength of your convictions once you leave Bermuda.”