A truck driver who brought in $115,100 of cocaine and cannabis hidden in a boom box was sentenced to eight years in jail.

John William Hollis was caught at Bermuda International Airport with 379 grams of cocaine and 142 grams of cannabis packaged inside the music box.

Hollis, 33, of Kitty's Drive, Hamilton Parish, said he believed the drugs would only be cannabis and was surprised when investigations revealed there was also cocaine in the stereo.

A father of two, he had never been in trouble before and pledged to Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller that he would spend his time in prison wisely and come out a reformed character.

Hollis admitted to importation of cocaine, possession of cocaine intended for supply, importation of cannabis and possession of cannabis intended for supply.

In addition, no evidence was offered by the Crown on charges of handling cocaine intended for supply and handling cannabis intended for supply.

Crown Counsel Peter Eccles said Hollis aroused the suspicions of Customs Officers when he disembarked from a flight from New York.

He had with him a Magnavox music box, which he said he had taken with him on the trip. Hollis tried to engage the officer in conversation and she believed he was trying to distract her from a search of his belongings.

An X-ray showed an unusual object in the stereo and a Narcotics sniffing dog alerted Police to the box. The box was dismantled and black coloured PVC pipe containing white powder was found inside.

When informed of the find, Hollis said: "That is a surprise to me.'' He then turned to the Customs Officer and said: "Terry, you did good, you even got me.'' When the PVC pipes were opened up, four plastic wrappings were found. Three had white powder inside and a fourth contained plant material.

There was 142 grams of cannabis and 379 grams of cocaine in the packages.

Mr. Eccles said Hollis later admitted taking US$3,000 away with him on the trip.

Mark Pettingill, for Hollis, said his client was just a mule and thought he was bringing marajuana into the country and was surprised to discover the music box also contained cocaine.

There was no connection with drugs in his past, he said.

Before sentencing, Hollis said: "I made a mistake and I apologise to Bermuda and its people.

"I would like to make a fresh start. I intend to make best use of my time and come back to society a different person.'' Hollis was sentenced to eight years each for importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine, and six years each for importation of cannabis and possession of cannabis. All sentenced are to run concurrently.