worth more than $27,400.

The father-of-two desperately needed some money to fly to Canada to save his marriage.

But his gamble misfired when a Police officer at the airport found the drug in coat hangers and a brown brush.

On Wednesday, 26-year-old Wolffe, of Middletown Lane, Pembroke, started a jail sentence.

He was sentenced to 15 months for importing cannabis and cannabis resin after admitting both offences.

Wolffe had denied intending to supply the drug. No evidence was offered on this charge.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said Wolffe had acted in a "reckless and dangerous'' fashion.

But he praised his cooperation with the Police once he realised "the game was up''.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said Wolffe was caught with 433.6 grams of cannabis at the Civil Air Terminal on January 31.

The drug was found hidden in four coat hangers after a Police narcotics officer "applied pressure to the side'' of one of them.

Some 114 grams of cannabis resin was also discovered in a brown brush, said Insp Duffy.

He added the drug had a street value of $27,420.

Insp. Duffy said Wolffe was very cooperative with Police, and had no similar previous convictions.

Mr. Archie Warner, defending, described Wolffe as a "contrite man who has shown remorse''.

He stressed his client was not a drug pusher or trafficker -- and had tried to import the cannabis for someone else.

"In this case he decided to take a chance and got caught. He took that chance because of his serious and pressing financial circumstances, not that financial circumstances are an excuse.

"But they do give some explanation for anything he committed out of the ordinary.'' Mr. Warner said Wolffe had been looking for work for two years.

"He has got two young children, one of whom at that time he was supporting,'' he added.

"He was also suffering from serious marital problems. His wife had left him and taken herself back to Canada.'' Mr. Warner said Wolffe had embarked on the drug venture hoping to find the means for a reconciliation with his wife.

"The cannabis was not for his use. He had been sent to bring the drug back for someone here, and was attempting to make a quick profit.

"Once caught he cooperated with Police. This cooperation has been substantial.'' Mr. Warner, citing previous cases, said a jail term of about six months would be justified because of Wolffe's cooperation.