Saying young black men "do it to themselves'', a judge has jailed a Devonshire father of one for eight years for handling crack cocaine.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons told Comal Shavon Spence his involvement in the importation of $427,625 worth of liquid cocaine on February 2 "defies all reason'', considering his attempts to avoid a life of crime.

"You were well on your way to breaking the mould of criminality in your family,'' she said. "You should have kept vigilant.

"When will you young men learn that crime does not pay. You abdicated your birthright to be a part of this productive society. Because of you and others you're tearing down society bit by bit. Hopefully this sentence will deter others...'' Earlier, when lawyer Richard Hector's was commenting that young black men like Spence are an "endangered species'' and in danger of being "claimed by a dung heap at the bottom of society'', Ms Justice Simmons interjected: "They're doing it to themselves, Mr. Hector.'' On September 2, Spence, 23, of High Point Road, pleaded guilty to handling 1,140 grams of pure cocaine on February 22.

During the trial in September of Spence's aunt, Judy Spence, Ms Justice Simmons heard that he was arrested after narcotics officers set a trap for the pair at the Grotto Bay Hotel.

US authorities had cracked a drug ring attempting to import cocaine from Jamaica to Bermuda via Boston and New York.

Two US drug agents posing as couriers checked in at the hotel, and were contacted by Judy Spence who was an employee of the hotel.

She told them her nephew would pick up the rum bottles containing the liquid cocaine as she was not allowed on hotel premises on her day off.

Police came out of hiding when Spence collected the bottles. He dropped them over a balcony when he saw Police.

He later told Police he had delivered crack cocaine for his aunt on three or four occasions for around $1,400 each time.

Yesterday, Spence, a self-employed truck driver, apologised for his actions, adding: "I feel as though I have been used by my aunt that I loved, trusted, and respected.'' When passing sentence, Ms Justice Simmons said: "Sometimes Mr. Spence, the enemy is within your own family.

"Eight years plus time served while in custody. There are opportunities to rehabilitate in prison. I understand you have taken advantage of some of them.''