admitting to importing $25,500 of drugs into the Island.

Appearing before Chief Justice Austin Ward in Supreme Court yesterday, Valerie Levern Swan, of Loyal Hill Road faced sentencing after pleading guilty to the offence which occurred on February 24 of this year.

The court heard how, acting on tips received, Customs officers stopped Swan at the Bermuda International Airport where her bags were searched. After finding nothing in the bags, the customs officer told Swan that she would need to be searched.

But before the search commenced, Swan admitted that she had drugs pulling them from between her legs. The cocaine was hidden in two zip lock bags which were placed inside two latex condoms.

Swan had travelled to Newark, New Jersey on the 17 of January where she had purchased the cocaine from an unidentified man, spending $3,900 on the drug.

When the cocaine was analysed, it was found to be 145.6 grams, and was 45 per cent pure cocaine with a total street value of $25,500.

Crown Counsel Juan Wolffe, aided by Lee Derosa Holder, told the court that Swan had an early drug conviction. And he pointed out that she could have come clean earlier before she was caught.

"There was an earlier opportunity when her bags were being searched,'' he said. "Basically she got her hand caught in the cookie jar.'' He said that the crown would be calling for a custodial sentence of four to six years for the offence.

But defence lawyer Mark Pettingill urged Mr. Ward to take into account the fact that his client had pleaded guilty.

He called Swan a humble and polite woman, and said the act of importing the drugs was one of temptation.

Swan was joined in court by her 19-year-old daughter and other relatives.

He said: "She was sorry about the embarrassment she had caused to her family.'' "And she is concerned about the effect this will have on her family,'' Addressing the court, Swan said: "I'm very sorry for what I've done and I'll never do it again. Please be lenient your honour.'' Mr. Ward took into account the admission and her cooperation with Police before sentencing her to a term of five years. Swan had been remended in custody since her arrest in February.