A man was jailed for four-and-a-half years yesterday for smuggling more than $100,000 worth of cannabis in boxed children's games.

Keith Young, 32, of Deepdale Road, Pembroke, pleaded guilty earlier this month to possession of 2,438.8 grams of cannabis with intent to supply on April 1.

The drugs, valued at $121,925, were discovered in Young's luggage by Customs officers at L. F. Wade International Airport. They were hidden in boxes of stationery and children's games.

Young, a father-of-five with no previous convictions, was jailed by Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo.

Defence lawyer Marc Daniels told The Royal Gazette after the case: "The reasons for this defendant's involvement in this 'move' were solely for the benefit of his family as opposed to selfish material gain.

"The defendant did this for financial reasons, not for cars and jewellery, or status; he did it to try to move his family into better living accommodations, to provide something more for his family."

Mr. Daniels said Young had acted as a "courier" for someone else.

"The defendant was not involved in the planning of this operation," he said. "He did not come into contact with the drugs or the products in which to put the drugs in.

"He was merely a courier and his role was a result of desperation to improve the living conditions of his family."