her innocence after being found guilty of possessing more than $23,000 worth of drugs.

And yesterday Nakia Peterson's lawyer Lawrence Scott vowed to appeal the conviction.

Peterson, of Warwick, was convicted last month of possessing 75.6 grams of 96 percent pure cocaine intended for supply and knowingly handling the cocaine.

Mr. Scott reminded Magistrate Cheryl-Ann Mapp that Peterson had a young child in Jamaica -- where she had lived for 17 years -- and suggested that community service would be an appropriate sentence.

But Peterson maintained that she was innocent of the charges.

"I know that I'm not guilty,'' she said, while her family and friends wept.

"Within myself I will always know that I am innocent.'' But, despite Peterson's pleas, Mrs. Mapp imposed a prison term.

And Mrs. Mapp reminded the court: "If it was not for the work of Customs and the Police, these drugs would have reached the community.'' Noting her duty to protect the community, Mrs. Mapp jailed Peterson for two years on each count. Both sentences will run concurrently.