Chief Justice Richard Ground yesterday cut a convicted drug smuggler?s prison sentence by 25 percent to show that importers who cooperate with Police and reveal their local contacts will be rewarded.

Cruise ship crewman Junior Hernain Packs, 32, was sentenced to two years in prison in Magistrates? Court after he admitted importing 444.4 grams of cannabis with intent to supply.

Crown counsel Shakira Dill said Packs, from Honduras, had already had his sentence for importation cut by 60 percent to one year.

He had received two years for intent to supply the drugs, which had a reported street value of $22,000.

She said another reduction in the sentence was unwarranted.

Chief Justice Richard Ground told Packs, who was unrepresented after his lawyer failed to appear: ?At the moment your sentence is two years but I am considering reducing it by six months ? do you have anything to say to that??

Packs replied: ?Yes. I?ve lost contact with my family since this has happened and the reduction will greatly help me to reconnect with them and start over.?

The Court heard that Packs cooperated with Police and revealed his contact in Bermuda.

Mr. Justice Ground stressed the importance of encouraging this kind of help and said: ?I am going to reduce your sentence to 18 months.?