A woman accused of smuggling $1.3 million worth of cannabis broke down in tears at a Supreme Court trial yesterday when her personal photographs were shown to the jury.

Canadian Sandra Marrero-Guzman, 37, has denied conspiring with others to bring cannabis into Bermuda and possessing cannabis with intent to supply on June 20, 2025.

Susan Mulligan, her defence lawyer, produced photocopies of the pictures, which had been retrieved by police from the woman’s phone, and Ms Marrero-Guzman confirmed she “advertised her services” on social media.

The accused has been referred to in court as a “sex worker” and “escort”, and after being arrested by police at LF Wade Airport, she described herself as an “exotic entertainer.”

She admitted in court to advertising her number and e-mail on websites and having other advertisements for dinner dates.

However, the pictures also included a family photograph from Mother’s Day, which prompted tears.

Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe asked her if she wanted to take a break, but she replied: “I’m OK.”

Ms Marrero-Guzman is charged with importing nearly 13 kilograms of cannabis, but insists she knew nothing of the drugs in a suitcase, claiming she was asked to take the luggage to Bermuda by the friend of a friend who drove her to her Canadian flight.

Jurors watched CCTV footage from LF Wade International Airport showing her collecting the suitcase at the luggage carousel.

She was then stopped at customs after anomalies were discovered in her checked suitcase when it was scanned. It was forced open as Ms Marrero-Guzman had no key for the lock.

The officers discovered 29 heat-sealed packages containing 12,876 grams of cannabis with a street value of almost $1.3 million.

Ms Mulligan asked her: “When you saw inside the luggage, how were you feeling?”

Her client said: “I was overwhelmed, I was shocked.”

Ms Marrero-Guzman said she initially thought the luggage was filled with clothes but did not try to check.

A mystery figure known only as “Anton” was revealed in earlier phone evidence to have set up the trip by paying for flights and accommodation. She was offered $7,000 for “a quick trip to the islands”.

Ms Marrero-Guzman insisted: “I didn’t believe that he had something to do with it. I was confused.”

Asked why never revealed his name to the authorities, she said: “I did not want to get him into trouble. I was trying to wrap my mind around it all.”

Ms Mulligan asked her: “Had ‘Anton’ ever spoken about cannabis or drugs?”

Ms Marrero-Guzman said: “No.”

She was then asked: “You didn’t know cannabis was in the case, did you?”

Ms Marrero-Guzman replied: “Correct.”

Prosecutor Khadija Beddeau asked the accused: “You thought it was clothes you were carrying for ‘Anton’?”

After she answered yes, Ms Beddeau remarked: “So he was attached to the drug, but you didn’t tell the police?”

Ms Marrero-Guzman stated: “I didn’t think he had anything to do with the luggage.”

Asked again why she never gave his name to the police, she said: “I didn’t want to get him into trouble.”

Ms Beddeau followed up by asking: “You would rather take the rap?”

She answered simply: “Yeah.”

The trial before Mr Justice Wolffe continues today.

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