this week after admitting to $25,000 worth of foreign currency offences.

Troy Anthony Commissiong admitted nine charges of making false statements on Bermuda Monetary Authority forms and nine charges of failing to surrender the currency.

Between March and November, 1991, Commissiong converted more than $25,000 Bermudian to American currency, Supreme Court was told.

Nine times during that period, he filled in bank forms stating he was taking trips to the United States. After his arrest, Commissiong admitted he never took the trips.

Crown counsel Ms Sharon Kenny said Bermuda law stated that if a trip abroad was cancelled the foreign currency taken for it must be returned to the bank.

Commissiong had claimed the 10 percent foreign purchase tax exemption for his currency exchanges and then failed to return the money.

Ms Kenny said 31-year-old Commissiong had a record of drug-related convictions dating back to 1981.

Mrs. Lois Browne Evans, representing Commissiong, suggested he was being used to convert money for drug pushers. She asked the court for leniency in sentencing Commissiong, saying: "He is an appealing young man...with a record that is crying out for help.''