on a Devonshire man for importation of cannabis and handling with intent to supply.

Quinton Craig King, 26, of Border Dell Lane, along with his friend and accomplice Sinclair Samuels, was convicted in June for importing $10,300 worth of cannabis. He denied the charge but was found guilty by a jury.

This week King's lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall unsuccessfully appealed that because King was not the principal offender his sentence should not have been the same as his co-defendant. But Mr. Marshall's appeal for leniency was not successful.

In July, 1992, Samuels was caught with 206 grams of cannabis at the Civil Air Terminal.

During the May trial the court heard that the men were visiting New York to pick up computers for King's boss.

The two former friends tried to clear themselves of blame by incriminating each other for importing the drugs.

Samuels denied knowledge of the drug in his bag, claiming he believed King had planted it. King confessed he knew Samuels was importing the drug but said he tried to stop him.

He denied allowing Samuels to use his clothes to make his bag seem bulkier and harder to search once they went through Bermuda customs.

In the Court of Appeal, Mr. Marshall said that King accepted that he was an aid to the co-defendant. However "he should not have received the identical sentence of his co-defendant.

"There is no evidence whatsoever that suggests that once the drug was in Bermuda King would have anything to do with it.

"The principal offender was also charged with possession with intent to supply,'' Mr. Marshall said.

Crown Counsel Mr. Diarmuid Doorly said King received two years in prison because he was found guilty of importing cannabis.

"It is correct to say he was of assistance to the co-defendant,'' Mr. Doorly said.

"He initiated the trip to New York, he introduced the co-accused to the dealer, and he assisted in transporting the drug by providing him with additional clothing so the drug could be more concealed.

"He was a full participant with the importation of cannabis.'' Tribunal President the Hon. Sir Denys Roberts said: "We do not feel the sentence of two years is manifestly excessive. We refuse leave to appeal.''