dreadful Valentine's Day.

The 28-year-old Jamaican was proven innocent of importing $11,000 worth of cannabis into the Island in Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

But instead of viewing her eight months in custody as a nightmare, Miss Raphael believes she has learned from the experience.

And she refuses to condemn the people who planted the drugs in her luggage which resulted in her ordeal.

Miss Raphael said: "I just feel very, very sorry for them. I do not have any hatred for them.

"I just hope that other young people will take this as an example of what can happen to them if they are not careful. It may open their eyes and make them realise that they should take care who they trust.'' The cannabis was discovered by a Customs officer inside hangers in Miss Raphael's suitcase on February 13 this year.

The hangers were holding suits which she was bringing from Jamaica for a Bermudian friend from his father. They had been produced by experts in an attempt to transport the drugs so they would be almost undetectable.

When the Customs officer broke open the hangers to reveal the 229.7 grams of cannabis, with a Bermudian street value of $11,465, Miss Raphael screamed in shock shouting at her friend: "Is this why you brought me to Bermuda?'' After eight months in the Co-ed Facility at Ferry Reach Miss Raphael had her day in court in front of Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp.

Mrs. Mapp said: "She seemed credible. In fact she was the typical "mule'' people seek out in furtherance of the drug trade. Easy prey.

"I do hope this will help people realise the danger of transporting articles on behalf of other people who are not personally known to them.

"People in the drug trade are actively seeking out people like this to act as their agents.'' She acquitted Miss Raphael of the charges of importation and possession with intent to supply, saying: "You are free to go home.'' This signalled emotional scenes as Miss Raphael broke down in tears and was hugged by a prison officer.

Miss Raphael spoke of her gratitude to the prison officers and other friends she had made at the Co-ed Facility. She said: "The treatment I received was very good, and I did not really have a problem.

"I met people from the Jamaican Grill, the Prison Fellowship and the Rev.

Ronnie Smith. They helped me to get through.

"Everyone at the Co-ed facility was praying for me, and I must thank the officers and the inmates for that.'' Pastor at the First Church of God, in Angle Street, Rev. Smith added: "I want to stress our appreciation for the staff at the Co-ed Facility. They did a marvellous job in looking after Angela.'' Throughout her ordeal Miss Raphael said she always knew her innocence would be seen but she thanked Mrs. Mapp for finding her not guilty.

She said: "I put it in God's hands and I knew that the truth would prevail.

There was nothing else I could do. As a result I have become closer to God.'' But her case was helped by her lawyer Mr. Ed. Bailey who recently failed to get elected to Parliament. Miss Raphael said: "He may have lost in the election but he is not a loser. He won this week.'' Mr. Bailey is now working on the red tape involved in getting his client back to Jamaica. She said: "I will return as soon as I get my papers. I still have a job and I have spoken to my friends and family. It was very tearful, everybody is so happy.'' Miss Angela Raphael.