A Canadian woman charged with conspiring with others to import and supply cannabis worth almost $1 million into Bermuda told the jury that the purpose of her trip had been to provide sexual services to an older man.

The Supreme Court jury heard yesterday that Claudisha Charley, the accused, worked for a company that “typically” sees older men paying for such services.

Ms Charley added that she had no idea she was being used as part of a drug operation.

Providing evidence to the court under cross-examination by Elizabeth Christopher, for the defence, Ms Charley said the escort work allowed her the flexibility and finances to support her two-year-old son, with whom she lives in Canada, along with her sister, her sister’s husband and their two children.

Ms Charley said that she had met a man, Man X, who was not named for legal reasons, in a restaurant who agreed to connect her with clients so long as he received a cut of her pay, which Ms Charley said she agreed to.

It was her second trip to Bermuda, she said, adding that she visited previously for the same reason, to provide companionship services for a “sugar daddy” she met here.

She said Man X drove her to the airport in Canada to fly to Bermuda and that he had asked her to check in a bag. She said he claimed to have a friend in Bermuda who was sick and that the bag contained money for his medical bills.

Ms Charley said: “I thought it was weird, I didn’t want to do it.”

However, she added that there was not much time before she had to catch her flight and that she felt compelled to help, given that the man had said his friend was sick.

She said Man X told her she would not have to collect the bag in Bermuda and referenced an employee of the airport.

Ms Charley told the court that Man X asked her to pay to check the bag and that he paid her back. Ms Charley said she did not have possession of the bag at any time.

She also denied knowing another man connected to the alleged conspiracy.

She said Man X, who arranged her travel, had asked her to go outside on arrival in Bermuda and find an old man in a black taxi.

The court then heard about exchanges made via a mobile phone including messages from Ms Charley to Man X asking about the “sugar daddy” she was supposed to be meeting.

She said Man X told her to go with the old man but she thought it was “weird” because the “sugar daddy” was supposed to be paying for her flight back to Canada.

She also received a message saying that she might be able to return to Canada on a boat.

Ms Charley said she went to a large house with the “taxi man” and then to another, smaller abode, where she remained for a few hours.

She said she was asked by Man X to call customs at the airport and ask for medication that was in the suitcase.

She told the court that she was confused as to why she wasn’t asked to collect the luggage herself, as it was her belief that it only contained money.

However, Man X later informed her that someone else was trying to get the bag.

Further messages from Ms Charley asked Man X where she was supposed to be staying, as it was getting late.

She also said there were some messages about payment and that she would go to the Airbnb.

She recalled waking up the following day hungry and asked Man X where she should go.

She said he informed her to get a bus and that she could not to spend too much money given the “sugar daddy” hadn’t turned up.

She said she eventually made her way to the airport, adding that she was told by Man X not to “show” herself at the airport and that he spoke about a connection — someone who worked at the airport.

The court heard that she got some food and ate it in an outside area, where police approached her.

Police confirmed her identity and then arrested Ms Charley. She surrendered her phone.

Ms Charley said: “I remember being very quiet. I was confused about what was going on and I was very upset.”

Daniel Kitson-Walters, for the Crown, asked whether Ms Charley knew anything about the “sugar daddy” she was supposed to meet to which she replied she only knew that he was a White man.

Mr Kitson-Walters questioned her about her financial situation, along with some of her previous overseas excursions.

Ms Christopher challenged the admissibility of some of the information before the trial was paused for legal arguments.

The trial before Puisne Judge Alan Richards continues.

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