A Bermudian construction worker has been given a seven year prison sentence after being caught with more than $200,000 worth of drugs by US narcotics officers.

Rohan Cumberbatch Acka, 27, of Angle Street, Pembroke, was stopped by drug squad officers outside Newark International Airport in February.

The former Robert Crawford School pupil, who worked for the Handyman Construction company, had arrived in New Jersey on a flight from Jamaica after leaving Bermuda three weeks earlier.

When searched, Cumberbatch was found to be carrying more than a pound of cocaine, two pounds of hashish and nearly a pound of marijuana. The drugs had been packed into a portable stereo and Cumberbatch had also swallowed some of the stash in a bid to get past customs.

Cumberbatch was given a seven year jail term after appearing before a Newark judge in June, although his attorney believes he could be released on parole within two years.

He made a full confession claiming that he had been hired by major drug dealers to act as a drugs mule. He also admitted to having a lifelong marijuana habit.

After being sentenced Cumberbatch wrote a letter to the judge who heard his case, begging for mercy. He claimed that he had agreed to be a drugs courier because of the potential financial rewards.

He added that he was about to become a father for the first time, something he found out after his arrest.

"I am a Bermudian citizen who was used as a mule and let money cloud my vision in which case landed me in trouble with the law for the first time,'' Cumberbatch said.

"I was going to get married next summer and am expecting my first child which was not known to me until I got here in jail in the US.

"I have never been in jail before and have never faced jail time before. Now that I've weighted out my crime in which I've had three long months to do so I see my mistakes and will do everything I can to correct it and be a more upright person.'' Although born in Jamaica Cumberbatch moved to Bermuda as an infant. He lived in Pembroke before moving to Philadelphia with his mother, Sandy Butler, who had separated from her husband.

But after graduating from high school he returned to Bermuda. Last night Cumberbatch's father, Clement, said that, although he knew his son was in some sort of trouble with the law, he was unaware that he had been sentenced.

And he claimed to be shocked when The Royal Gazette revealed to him that his son will be spending the next seven years behind bars.

"He was always an alright kid who never got into trouble,'' Mr. Cumberbatch said.

"He never got mixed up in anything and we never had any problems, although I haven't seen him for a while.'' DRUGS DGS BERMUDIAN BDA