to 12 years in Westgate on Wednesday.

Clifton Hopeton Morrison, 38, of Jamaica, was found guilty last week of possession of cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The father of three smuggled just over a pound of cocaine in two rum bottles into the Island on February 6. He was arrested shortly after he arrived in Bermuda on an American Airlines flight from New York.

Crown counsel Sandra Bacchus told Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller a custodial sentence of 12 to 14 years would be appropriate for the offences.

During the two-week trial, the court heard that Morrison was owed money by customers of his auto parts company. During a trip by bus to Westmoreland in Jamaica the travelling salesman met a man called Jabba and discussed his money woes. Jabba asked Morrison to bring the contraband to Bermuda for a local woman for $5,000.

The Somerset woman, Kathy Tait, later gave evidence and denied knowing Morrison. He also claimed he was to collect a large sum of money and take it back to Jamaica in a suitcase to Jabba.

Police and Customs officials noted during the trial that importation of liquid cocaine was a new method used by smugglers. Already this year some three persons were caught by Police attempting to bring liquid cocaine into Bermuda.

The court heard the Crown would be applying to seize the more than $3,000 found on Morrison after he was arrested.

But defence lawyer Victoria Pearman said the prison term imposed should not be one to crush her client who is a father of three young children.

Ms Pearman asked Mrs. Justice Wade-Miller to consider the financial circumstances of Morrison. The lawyer said her client was the only bread winner of his family and he supported both his grandmother and her husband.

Ms Pearman also pointed out that there was no question her client told what he knew, and gave information to Police about Kathy Tait and Jabba.

She also argued there was no evidence that Morrison knew the bottles contained cocaine.

Morrison told the court before he was sentenced he had a decent upbringing and he had never been trouble. He also apologised to the people of Bermuda and his family and asked for mercy.