A Bermudian drug courier is facing up to 40 years in jail after pleading guilty to importing heroin into the United States.

Maclane Charles Jeffrey Butterfield -- the son of Progressive Labour Party MP Neletha Butterfield -- faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years behind bars after pleading guilty to importing 100 grammes of heroin into the US.

But Butterfield, 32, could see his sentence reduced after striking a plea bargain last month with the US Justice Department in Miami, Florida.

The deal, struck at the Southern District of Florida, means Butterfield could be eligible for a reduction in sentence in return for agreeing to co-operate with the law enforcement agents in the US.

Butterfield was arrested on May 24 at Miami International Airport after he was discovered with a quantity of drugs.

He arrived in the US on a flight from Jamaica, although it is not known whether he was en route to Bermuda at the time of his arrest.

Original media reports suggested that US Customs officers found he had swallowed several pellets containing heroin, cocaine, and cannabis.

He was originally charged with four offences of possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.

Butterfield denied all the charges, but last month he changed his plea at the Southern District of Florida to guilty to importing heroin.

Bermudian on drugs charges in the US The US Government, in a plea bargain signed by Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Lovemore, agreed to drop three of the charges in exchange for Butterfield's co-operation.

The deal stresses that Butterfield understands the court must impose a sentence of between five and 40 years for the offence followed by a term of supervised release. He could also face a fine of up to $2 million.

But the document states that if Butterfield's co-operation is of such quality that it could result in other criminal investigations, the US Government may recommend he have his sentence reduced.

But the deal makes it clear that there is no guarantee what the sentence will be, and that the court is not bound by the arrangement.

Butterfield will be sentenced in the Southern District Court of Florida next month.

BERMUDIAN BDA