charges of conspiring to import cocaine has been successful.

The news concerning Dexter Edmund Dillas came yesterday from the three-man Court of Appeal who cut his time to 14 years and 12 years respectively.

He was sentenced to the two original concurrent terms after pleading guilty to the charges which related to his part in a multi-million dollar cocaine smuggling ring that linked Bermuda with Cuban-American drugs barons.

Appeal Court president Sir James Astwood said: "We do not interfere with the term fixed by the Judge as the appropriate sentences to be imposed on the two convictions, i.e. 18 years and 15 years respectively.

"We do, however, reduce the sentence of 15 years by three years and that of 18 years by four years to show that we approve of the cooperation which we have been informed that the Appellant has given.

"We do this with the intention of encouraging others in like position to be helpful to the appropriate authorities investigating drug trafficking in Bermuda.'' Dillas' barrister Kim White contended that the sentences were excessive and did not give his client sufficient credit for his pleas of guilty.

Mr. White pointed out that an informant was "a valuable tool in the fight against crime'' and, although Dillas' assistance came after conviction, the assistance had been of "an on-going nature.'' But Solicitor General Barrie Meade argued that Dillas' plea of guilty was "tactical'' after the surprise introduction of secretly-taped conversations with cellmates and he had given no indication of such a plea prior to the tapes being produced.

However, he did suggest that the sentences could be reduced to indicate the court sanctioned Dillas' cooperation with investigating authorities.