with importing cocaine with a street value of $57,250.

It also backed the 13-year prison term given to Kevin Arorash by Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice (Austin) Ward.

Arorash, 27, of Jones Village Lane, had denied importing the drug in high top sneakers worn by Steven Schanze, from Miami.

He had also pleaded not guilty to possessing the drug on January 30.

But last September a jury convicted him of both offences and sentenced him to 13 years on each count, to run concurrently. He later appealed.

Schanze was jailed for seven years after admitting importing the drug.

The jury heard Police arrested 23-year-old Schanze at the Civil Air Terminal after finding cocaine on him.

Schanze agreed to cooperate with Police to find out local members of the drug ring.

Officers waited in Schanze's Mermaid Beach Hotel room and on the morning of January 31 Arorash arrived to collect the drug.

When arrested Arorash made no comment, but later claimed he went to the hotel to pick up a package for a tourist, Robbie, as a favour.

He had met the tourist while shopping in Hamilton on January 22.

Yesterday's appeal judgment stated: "According to the appellant's story he was the good Samaritan who became enmeshed in a web of unfortunate circumstances.'' The judgment accepts there was great force in defence lawyer Mr. Khamisi Tokunbo's criticism of part of the judge's observation to the jury.

Mr. Ward was accused of inviting an inference of guilt by questioning whether it was reasonable for Arorash to remain silent when arrested.

But the appeal judges stated: "We have reached the conclusion without hesitation that no substantial miscarriage of justice actually occurred.'' Backing the sentence, they declared: "Those who continue to ply the nefarious trade of drug peddling must perforce accept the consequence of their action.''