A police officer with expertise in drug importation and concealment gave evidence in a Supreme Court trial yesterday where a Canadian woman is accused of smuggling more than 12 kilograms of cannabis into Bermuda.

Detective Sergeant Warren Bundy revealed that the drugs, alleged to have been brought to the island by Sandra Marrero-Guzman, would have a street value of close to $1.3 million if sold by the gram.

The 37-year-old was caught at LF Wade International Airport on June 20 last year. She has denied conspiring to bring cannabis into Bermuda and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Questioned by the Crown, Mr Bundy said it was his opinion that Ms Marrero-Guzman, 37, was hired as a drugs courier and adopted the method of concealing drugs inside her suitcase.

He said: “Most of the time [drug] mules are persons easily influenced, persons who need the money.”

The court then looked again at some of the messages between Ms Marrero-Guzman and a contact named “Anton”.

Some of the conversation included finalising plane tickets and the defendant sending a picture of herself in a white sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Mr Bundy said: “This conversation has all the hallmarks of drug importation — ticket purchases with somebody else’s money, arrangements for the travel made by someone else other than the courier.

“The person, known as ‘Anton’, admitted they have a system getting them through undetected. These things are all indicative of a drug mule and another conspirator bringing drugs into Bermuda.”

He then spoke about the major price differences between cannabis in Bermuda and Canada.

Mr Bundy said: “Canada has legalised cannabis. The cost in Bermuda is $100 for a gram. That same gram in Canada would be five to seven dollars.”

As to why the drug is so expensive on the island, he added: “It’s because everything has to be imported.”

Under cross-examination by Susan Mulligan, for Ms Marrero-Guzman, Mr Bundy said it was not unusual for the defendant’s fingerprints not to be on anything as they could have been wearing gloves.

He described the operation as a “textbook” example of drug importation. The trial continues.

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