A Jamaican national caught smuggling packages of cocaine into the island has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Tyrone Brown, 31, was convicted of importing 894g of the drug through LF Wade International in his baggage at the end of a seven-day Supreme Court trial.

The jury had heard that the electrician arrived on the island on April 17 on an American Airlines flight from Miami having departed Jamaica earlier that day.

He reportedly appeared “nervous and fidgety” when speaking to customs officials, saying he had come to Bermuda on holiday but was not planning on meeting anyone, and a body search revealed nothing.

However, the following day, when his checked luggage arrived on the island, officers searched it and discovered a black handbag inside.

Hidden inside the handbag were two packages of cocaine with an estimated street value of between $95,000 and $132,000.

Brown later told police that he had a black handbag matching the description of the one containing the drugs, but maintained his innocence throughout his trial. He declined the opportunity to give evidence, and was found guilty by a unanimous verdict. During his sentencing yesterday, Larry Mussenden, the Director of Public Prosecutions, called for a sentence in the range of 15 to 18 years, arguing that the quantity of drugs recovered could have had an impact on many in the community if it had reached the streets.

However, defence lawyer Arion Mapp said Brown was a hardworking father with no previous convictions, calling the sentence proposed by the Crown as “unfounded and inconsistent”.

“He shouldn’t fall anywhere near that range,” he said, suggesting a sentence of between 6 and 8 years would be more appropriate in all the circumstances.

Brown himself told the court he was a “respectful man” who never dreamt he would be before the courts in such a position.

Acting Justice Charlene Scott described the charge against Brown as very serious, requiring an immediate custodial sentence.

And noting Mr Mapp’s reference to Brown’s daughter, she said: “It’s most unfortunate that thought wasn’t given about her many needs, on your ability to be a father for her, when you boarded that plane to Bermuda with drugs in your little black bag.”

Given all the circumstances, she found that a sentence of 15 years would be appropriate, ordering that the time Brown has already spent in custody be taken into account.