Court yesterday that he never knew it was to be used for drug dealing.

But Oliver Simmons, 43, pleaded guilty to 11 charges of making false statements and 11 charges of failing to surrender foreign currency.

Crown counsel Ms Sharon Kenny told the court that between September, 1991 and February, 1992 Simmons went to the Somerset branches of the Bank of Butterfield and the Bank of Bermuda and Butterfield's Rosebank branch in Hamilton where he filled out 11 forms to exchange Bermudian money into US currency for travel.

"He gave false departure dates never intending to travel,'' Ms Kenny said.

Investigating officer P.c. Kenville Saboury told the court that after his arrest, Simmons said he exchanged the money for a man who lived on Mount Hill.

"When asked what the money was used for, Simmons said it might have been used for drugs,'' Saboury told the court. "However, he never asked the guy why he wanted it changed or what it was for.'' Mr. Phil Perinchief, representing Simmons, said he was paid $100 for each transaction. He told the court that Simmons said he was collecting money for Parks Dill.

But P.c. Saboury said Dill had been investigated in connection with drugs. Mr.

Perinchief added Simmons should get credit for giving Police a name to help their investigation.

Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward told Mr. Perinchief that in many cases these types of offences are related to drugs.

After Simmons denied he was currently involved with drugs, Mr. Ward said Parks Dill "is well known to Police for drug dealing. A person is known by the company he keeps.'' Simmons said: "I have alleviated drugs since I've been incarcerated. At the time, I did not have a job and I was under a lot of pressure.

"I've known Parks Dill a long time. He just came and approached me one day.'' Mr. Justice Ward fined Simmons $3,421, a sum representing the 10 percent tax owed to government for exchanging money as well as fines for the individual admitted counts.

Mr. Justice Ward said: "You should get Parks Dill to give you this money.

He's the one who got you into this trouble.

"All the people who come here on trial for this type of thing are the ones being exploited by these drug dealers.''