prison for importing 3.24 pounds of cannabis.

Nicola Burchall, of Khyber Heights, Warwick, had pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court on January 16 to importing cannabis and possessing it with intent to supply in St. George's last year.

After reading a social inquiry report on Burchall yesterday, Senior Magistrate Will Francis ordered her to spend two-and-a-half years in prison on each count. The sentences will run concurrently.

The court heard that Burchall arrived at the Airport on November 10, 1996 with the drugs, wrapped in packages, strapped to her thighs and waist.

Customs officials were alerted to her due to the way she was walking.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor yesterday argued that Burchall, whose baby is due in September, should receive a three-year sentence.

But Burchall's lawyer Christopher Lavigne asked Mr. Francis to hand down a 15-month prison term.

And Burchall's mother told the court that her daughter may have acted as a courier in a bid to raise money to enable her to go to university in the US.

However, before handing down the two-and-a-half-year sentence, Mr. Francis said: "We've got to discourage these young ladies from being mules.''