An American drugs "mule'' caught smuggling nearly $30,000 of cannabis into Bermuda on Friday is today starting a two-year jail sentence.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis said the courts were particularly tough on couriers in order to send a message to those who wanted to make some quick cash.

He told Eulis John Taylor, who had stitched 588 grams of cannabis into his underwear, that his fellow countrymen and women had been warned of trying to bring drugs into Bermuda.

The court heard that Taylor, a 60-year-old security guard from New Jersey, had been given $500 in the US to bring the drugs into Bermuda, where he would be met by someone called "Nick''.

In court, Taylor pleaded guilty to importing cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Leighton Rochester, prosecuting, said Taylor flew into Bermuda on Friday and as he proceeded through the customs hall a sniffer dog alerted officials to him. When asked if he had any drugs on him he answered "yes''.

As a body search was conducted in a separate room, officials noticed objects sewn into the linings of his boxer shorts. One said "what do we have here?'' to which Taylor replied "that's where the drugs are''.

Inside the lining were clear plastic parcels which contained the drugs.

Mr. Rochester said in his interview Taylor said he was approached by someone in the US, who asked him if he wanted to go Bermuda to take a shipment of cannabis, for $500 plus his airfare.

At Bermuda he was to be met by "Nick'', who would take the drugs from him and put him up until he returned to the US.

Tests revealed that there were 588 grams of cannabis, which if sold in 0.5 gram bags would reap a street value of $29,400.

Taylor was cooperative and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, Mr.

Rochester said.

Taylor, who was not represented, said: "I would like to ask the court for leniency, given my age and I do have a job back home. I made a mistake, this is the first of its kind.'' He said he did have family but lived alone, but had two cats that depended on him.