A Warwick man seen acting suspiciously on a Bermuda-bound aircraft has admitted attempting to smuggle drugs into the Island.

Shauib Worrell, 35, pleaded guilty to importing a controlled drug, specifically cannabis, and obstructing officers in an incident on September 2 last year.

He had denied charges of importing cannabis during his initial appearance before the courts, but said yesterday that he wanted to change his plea on the advice of his lawyer.

Prosecutor Nicole Smith told the court that a flight attendant on board a flight from New York to Bermuda saw Worrell make repeated trips to the plane’s bathroom and disposing of items in the bathroom’s trash can.

The aircraft landed at LF Wade International Airport and before the passengers could depart, K9 officers carried out a search of the plane’s cabin. The drug dog alerted officers to both the defendant and the aircraft’s bathroom.

The court heard Worrell continued through customs and collected his baggage before being stopped by Customs for a secondary search. Officers searched Worrell and baggage, and while they found nothing liable for seizure, they noticed he was acting suspiciously and smelled strongly of cannabis.

He was arrested on suspicion of importation of a controlled drug and the officers began to process him. One officer took his cell phone but Worrell snatched the phone back and attempted to dismantle it and access the SIM card before being stopped by the officers.

Worrell later asked to use the bathroom and was escorted to a toilet by a customs officer. While there he asked the officer if he had to tell everything that was said to police.

When the officer said no, Worrell said: “Because I have something in me. Weed. Like, two pellets.”

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he passed an off-white package containing densely packed plant material, which Worrell confirmed was cannabis.

Worrell later admitted to officers that he had another package of cannabis which he had attempted to conceal underneath his hospital bed.

Ms Smith said the total quantity of cannabis seized was found to weigh 13.42 grams, and that Worrell had no previous convictions for similar offences.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered a social inquiry report be carried out on Worrell, adjourning his sentencing until later this month.