abandoning an appeal against an eight-year sentence meted out to him last year for drug smuggling.

"This court is very much against drug trafficking,'' acting president the Hon. Mr. Justice da Costa said. "We cannot send the wrong message.'' Jamaican Norven DaCosta, 29, was working as a pastry chef on the cruise liner Nordic Prince when he smuggled in 6.35 ounces of cocaine with a street value of about $50,000.

The first-time courier was caught out after accidentally dropping the bundle of cocaine as he walked down the ship's gangplank.

Security officers immediately seized it and turned it over to the local Police.

DaCosta, who had pleaded guilty to the offence, told the court he had instructions to deliver the cocaine to a woman called Diva at the Moonglow club in St. George's.

His lawyer Mr. Julian Hall MP had asked the judge for as much leniency as possible, saying DaCosta had a family to support and recognised he had committed a foolish act.

Mr. Justice Ward handed down an eight-year sentence and DaCosta subsequently filed an appeal.

But Mr. Hall told the Appeal Judges yesterday that his client had taken his advice and abandoned the appeal.

Mr. Justice da Costa responded: "Even with you eloquence it would have fallen on barren ground.''