$46,000 worth of cocaine from New York to Bermuda.

Norven DaCosta, a pastry chef on the cruise ship Nordic Prince , ended up losing the package when he arrived on the island.

And it was found by a security guard, the Supreme Court heard yesterday. Miss Sharon Kenny, prosecuting, said DaCosta arrived at St. George's on May 12 with 178 grams of the drug in a taped-up package.

As he walked down the gangplank, a ship security officer spotted him drop the bundle.

Then, as he stepped onto the pier, he dropped it again, this time without noticing. The security officer picked it up and made a hole in it, discovering white powder inside.

Later, 29-year-old DaCosta anxiously asked security officers if they had found the package.

He told Police a man called "Jimmy'' in New York had asked him to deliver it to a woman called "Diva'' at the Moonglow club in St George's. He had been promised $2,000.

Miss Kenny said the package contained a "substantial'' amount of 68 percent pure cocaine, worth around $46,250 on the street.

DaCosta, who had earlier pleaded guilty to importing the drug, had cannabis convictions back home in Jamaica, the court was told. He married recently and has a two-year-old child.

Mr. Julian Hall MP, for DaCosta, told Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward the quantity of the drug should have nothing to do with sentencing. A mere courier might not know how much was in the package, he said.

DaCosta had given "ready cooperation'' to Police, and recognised the "stupidity and foolishness'' of what he did. He was the major, if not the sole, supporter of his extended family.

Mr.

Hall said he regretted "unseemly'' contests between prosecution and defence lawyers over how many years a sentence should contain.

"What's happening with the law today is that the various components of the system are speaking out of different sides of their mouths.'' He hoped change would soon come, following current reviews of the system.

"I'm not interested in playing the numbers game with my learned friend,'' he said, referring to Miss Kenny. "I'm concerned at the end of the day with what happens to this young man, and the interests of the community.'' He asked for as much leniency as possible.

DaCosta told the judge: "My family has put so much interest into me to be a successful, law-abiding person. I am the only breadwinner in the family.

Without me they would perish financially.

"It was never my intention to continue to import drugs. A mere opportunity prompted my action. I throw myself on the mercy of the court.'' Mr. Justice Ward sentenced him to eight years, taking into account time already spent in custody.