A man who imported more than $230,000 worth of drugs was imprisoned for eight years last Friday.

Marvin Woolridge, 56, admitted three charges of importation of cannabis resin, ecstasy and cocaine and three counts of possession with intent to supply.

He pleaded guilty at a court appearance in March.

Woolridge, of St George’s, told the Supreme Court that he was a drug addict.

He said: “I’ve been getting high since the age of 18. Greed and addiction overruled better judgment.”

Woolridge apologised to his former fiancee who was with him when he was arrested at the airport in February 2018.

He said: “I was so selfish. She almost lost her job.”

Woolridge told the court that he thought he was only carrying cannabis resin.

He said: “I’m an addict, a mule, I’m not a career smuggler.”

The Supreme Court heard that Woolridge imported 1,592 grams of cannabis resin worth $159,200 and 495 grams of ecstasy valued at $19,800.

He also had 218.8 grams of cocaine with a purity of 62 per cent valued at $52,375.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said the “sophisticated” method of importation suggested Woolridge was a “con man” and that no mercy could be shown to him.

Mr Justice Greaves said: “The trafficking of drugs is a serious matter that affects society in a broad way.

“He had no mercy for those who he would affect in society. And he without mercy ought not to seek mercy.”

The Crown earlier asked for an eight year jail sentence.

But Archibald Warner, Woolridge’s defence counsel, said that the appropriate prison sentence was “no more than seven years”.

Mr Justice Greaves ordered that Woolridge’s time already spent in custody should be taken into account.

He also directed that Woolridge be considered for drug rehabilitation treatment.

Woolridge made news last year when he was caught on camera riding a motorcycle while holding on to a car being driven by Wayne Caines, the national security minister.

He apologised for the bad publicity the video generated for Mr Caines.

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