in her knapsack was yesterday sent to prison for 12 months.

Kenita Furbert, 24, of Camp Hill Road, maintained throughout her trial in August that her boyfriend had planted the drugs on her when she visited him in Orlando in February.

But a jury of eleven women and one man dismissed her argument and found her guilty by a unanimous verdict of importation and possession with intent to supply. Sentencing was delayed for two months for social inquiry and psychiatric reports.

Furbert's attorney Renee Foggo called for a suspended sentence, arguing that her client had no previous convictions and had simply become involved with the wrong crowd.

"It's also my understanding that she never intended to supply the drugs. I would submit that she appears to have been used as a pawn in this instance.'' Before being sentenced Furbert, in an emotional speech, claimed that the incident had left her questioning her spirituality.

She said: "I would just like to say to the court and the community and Government leaders and my family that I am sorry.

"I do have to take account of my poor decisions and choices and I accept that God has given you a task today. Your Honour that's not going to be easy.'' Puisne Judge Norma Wade-Miller insisted that the jury's verdict had to be respected and, regardless of Furbert's previous clean record, a prison sentence had to be imposed because of the nature of the crime.

"I take into account that this is your first offence and also the quantity of the drug.

"It would appear that, before this incident you had a relatively productive life but the jury's verdict must be respected.''