A 21-year-old mother who is pregnant with her second child was sentenced to 13 years in prison yesterday for importing more than $1.7 million worth of heroin onto the Island.

College student Zephrya Gibbons, of Hillview Lane, Warwick, was accused of "betraying her people" by Assistant Justice Archibald Warner after she pleaded guilty to smuggling 443.7 grams of heroin inside her stomach and vagina in March.

Gibbons pleaded guilty to the charge of importing diamorphine but not guilty to the charges of possession of diamorphine with intent to supply and handling diamorphine with intent to supply.

Although crown counsel Anthony Blackman did not ask for a specific sentence, he said: "The legislation makes the point that this type of offence is a very serious offence, adding that the sentence should show the public's "revulsion".

The court heard that Gibbons was caught by a Customs sniffer dog on March 13 at the airport, after she debarked from a British Airways flight from London, Gatwick.

A subsequent search by Customs officers revealed that she was carrying 197.7 grams of brown powder in pellet form, wrapped in black-taped packages in three layers of underwear on her person. In addition, she told Customs officers she had swallowed five pellets before leaving London.

An x-ray examination revealed she had four pellets, or 246 grams, of brown powder in her stomach.

"If sold on the streets of Bermuda, the street value would be $1,731,540," Mr. Blackman said.

Defence lawyer Larry Mussenden said his client's action stemmed from financial pressure, to which Mr. Warner shouted: "That is the most ridiculous statement. Poverty is an international definition and it doesn't include those people who credit cruises and can't pay for them.

"From her file, she was in a better position than most. Not was she only going away to study, but she was travelling before studying.

"Don't tell me financial pressure, this young lady was in far better financial position than most. She wasn't even looking after her child," he said.

Gibbons' two-year-old son was staying with his grandmother and Gibbons is expecting another child.

Mr. Mussenden said: "(Gibbons) is a victim of the drug scourge as well."

Mr. Warner said: "How can you say that! She is a facilitator, she knowingly brought $1.7 million worth of drugs in Bermuda. I find it hard to think that she's a victim."