Handling more than $127,000 in cannabis landed a former Federal Express clearance agent in prison for four years on Friday.

Chief Justice Austin Ward jailed Jamie Marie DeSilva, 21 of Bob's Valley Road, Sandys for handling the controlled substance on May 12, 1999.

Crown counsel Patrick Doherty said DeSilva was employed as a Federal Express clearance agent at the airport facility at the time of the incident.

On the said date, about 3.15 p.m., a package marked as a Kenwood cassette player came through the facility.

The package raised suspicions with Customs Officers and they proceeded to examine it.

When Customs X-rayed the device, they found four individual blocks wrapped inside. The blocks were cut open and were found to contain plant material.

The cannabis was analysed by the Government Analyst and found to be 2559 grams, with a total street value of $127,950.

Customs notified Police and dummy packages were rewrapped and placed back into the machine.

They monitored the box and its movements and DeSilva handling the package. At about 4 p.m. they observed a black male with dreadlocks driving a taxi, enter the facility.

DeSilva walked up to the taxi and talked with the man.

When Police approached DeSilva and questioned her, they found that she had in her possession a Federal Express bill for the package and a handwritten note where she was instructed to deliver the package.

She was subsequently arrested and worked with Police to set up a drop-off for the package.

Although a successful drop-off was observed by Police, no other arrests resulted.

Lawyer Paul Woolgar, appearing on behalf of DeSilva noted that she has no prior convictions and that her cooperation with Police and her guilty plea should serve toward a reduced sentence.

"My client has a good character and has a low risk of reoffending,'' he said.

"She has developed a healthy attitude toward the crime. My client ought to be entitled a discount of her sentence. There was a great deal of cooperation and client cooperation like this should be rewarded.

"My submission is that a two to two and a half year sentence is appropriate.'' However Mr. Justice Ward said: "You offered to go through with a controlled delivery. The amount of the drug is large if sold on the street. She was intercepted and caught with the drug.

"I am reminded that the court must steadfastly do its duty even if you are not the principle party involved.''