A dental technician who imported more than $1.2 million-worth of cannabis has been jailed for ten years.

David James Phillipson, 61, concealed dozens of packages in his luggage when he flew in from New York last July. He was caught red-handed during a search at L.F Wade International Airport.

Director of Public Prosecutions Rory Field told Supreme Court yesterday that when he was asked by a narcotics officer what was in the parcels, hidden amid his clothing, Phillipson replied: "I don't know, I work for you guys."

He later claimed: "I am working for you guys, I just need to do one last time. Just pretend that you didn't see this, and everything will be OK."

However, he went on to admit that it was the third time he had imported drugs from the USA, having been paid around $2,000 for doing so on each occasion. Phillipson was arrested, with analysis of the packages showing them to contain 25,511 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $1,275,550.

He was charged with importation, and pleaded guilty on the morning that his Supreme Court trial was due to start last month.

The court heard from narcotics officer Detective Constable Lucan Joseph that Phillipson attempted to help Police, but the information he gave was of no use in prosecuting any other offenders. Mr. Field said the maximum sentence that could be imposed was life imprisonment and a fine of $3,826,650 — three times the street value.

He submitted that while Phillipson is wholly to blame, "those who arrange the importation of drugs into Bermuda sometimes use vulnerable, even pathetic, persons as carriers."

Mr. Field said the reason was a hope that such mules will gain sympathy from the courts and lighter sentences, therefore encouraging others to take similar risks. However, he pointed out that this was not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing importation operation by Phillipson's own admission, and asked for a jail sentence of between 12 and 14 years. Defence lawyer Peter Farge said his client was not guilty of a sophisticated attempt to import the drug.

"He played Russian Roulette by just walking through (Customs) like that," he observed.

Mr. Farge added that Phillipson is a cocaine and alcohol addict who suffers from problems with his heart and pancreas.

A psychological assessment has been recommended in light of his fictitious claims to have been working for the authorities at the time of his arrest.

Speaking in his own defence, Phillipson — whose address is listed on court documents as Harrington Sound Lane, Smith's — claimed he was homeless at the time. "If I've caused embarrassment to my family and my clients I sincerely apologise for that," he added.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons pointed to the harmful effects of cannabis use including the risk of cancer and psychosis and of crimes being committed to fuel the habit. "All drug offences are serious offences and dealing in cannabis by importing it or in any other way is considered by this court as serious. It should attract condemnation by the courts — and of course by society," she warned.