guilty to handling $129,350 worth of cannabis.

Vincent Troy Darrell, 23, of Brunswick Street, Pembroke was initially charged with co-defendant Wayne Germaine Augustus, 30, for possession of cannabis with intent to supply, handling cannabis with intent to supply, possession of drug equipment and possession of a small amount of cannabis.

However, the trial took an unexpected twist when Darrell pleaded guilty to handling the drug with intent to supply, and possession of a small quantity of the drug which was found when Police raided his home.

The Crown then dropped its case against Augustus and Assistant Justice Archibald Warner told Augustus, who was represented by lawyer Elizabeth Christopher, that there was no evidence against him and said he was discharged from the indictment.

Senator Mark Pettingill represented Darrell and said that he had worked for International Bonded Couriers (IBC) when a box arrived at the Bermuda International Airport on March 19, 1999.

A Police canine unit was alerted to the box which had allegedly been sent by a company in New York to Applied Computer Technologies on Reid Street.

When Police searched the box, they found several packets of cannabis disguised as packets of paper, totalling 2,507 grams, underneath a photocopier. Police made a mark on the box and on March 20, took it back to the airport and waited for it to be picked up.

At 1.38 p.m. the same day, Darrell put the box into an IBC vehicle which was then driven away by Augustus to his house, and he was followed by Darrell on a cycle.

The court heard that while Darrell put the box into the truck, Augustus disabled the security cameras, concealing their activity.

Police later seized the box and when executing a search warrant at Darrell's house, found a pay-type envelope with 2.53 grams of cannabis, as well as a packet of cigarette papers.

Both Augustus and Darrell were subsequently charged.

Before sentencing, principal Crown Counsel Dorien Taylor said that given the serious amount of drugs, as well as the fact that the Crown had acceded to certain counts and the accused pleaded guilty, a term of between five and six years.

Sen. Pettingill submitted his client was only 22 at the time of the offence and said that his position had been to turn a "wilful blind eye''.

Sen. Pettingill also said that his client was paid $600 for his role in moving the drugs and he was, "incredibly remorseful and regretful that he succumbed to that type of temptation''.

Sen. Pettingill also submitted that Darrell had co-operated with Police from the outset and given full and frank disclosure as to how he was involved in the crime.

"It is clear from the evidence that it wasn't a case of him receiving these packages to weigh up and sell. He had no role in the street distribution of the cannabis,'' he said.

Sen. Pettingill said: "He wasn't the key player in bringing in and distributing. He played the middle role in handling the drug after getting a call from someone.'' Mr. Justice Warner said: "He facilitated knowing full well the package contained drugs.'' Sen. Pettingill said the sentence should serve as a deterrent to others who consider a quick hustle for extra cash.

And as far as the second charge to which Darrell pleaded guilty, possession of 2.53 grams of cannabis, Sen. Pettingill said he was an "occasional indulger'' in the use of cannabis and the amount found in his house would be dealt with by way of a fine in both Magistrates and Supreme Court.

Before sentence was passed, Darrell addressed the court and said: "I am very sorry for what I've done to my family and the community for my actions.

"I'm not a person to be caught up in those type of things but it happens.'' Darrell was then sentenced to three years in prison, as well as a fine of $500 for possession of the small amount of cannabis.