began a six-year prison term.

A jury found Delicia Tucker, of Rambling Lane, not guilty of two counts of importation and two counts of possession of cannabis and heroin.

However, she was sentenced to six years for two counts of importation and possession of cocaine -- to which she had pleaded guilty.

The five-woman, seven-man jury deliberated for two-and-a-half hours before coming out with their verdict.

They voted ten to two to find Tucker -- who has a one-year-old -- not guilty of importation of cannabis and heroin. They were unanimous in their not guilty verdict on the counts of possession of cannabis and heroin with intent to supply.

Crown counsel Sandra Bacchus and Tucker's lawyer Richard Hector deliberated as to the sentencing of Tucker.

Mr. Hector cited Tucker's turbulent childhood, her guilty plea and subsequent cooperation with Police in finding the person who contracted with her to bring in the drugs.

"I urge you, your honour to treat her mercifully,'' Mr. Hector said. "The fact that she has a young child should be a factor in this situation.'' Ms Bacchus argued that Tucker, having admitted being a repeat offender, should not be given leniency.

"She has admitted to doing this before,'' she said. "She is not an innocent dupe.'' Tucker, when asked if she had anything to say on her own behalf, said: "I beg for mercy, your honour. I will never commit this type or any type of crime again.

"I have a loving, caring husband and a son.'' Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller, however, was not moved by her plea and sentenced her to six years imprisonment with time in custody taken into account.

After the sentencing, Mr. Hector told The Royal Gazette : "The verdict was not unexpected.'' Ms Bacchus declined comment on the verdict. But Tucker was smiling when she left the courthouse, saying: `What I wanted, I got.''