The wife of a man who admitted laundering the proceeds of a massive drug importation says she's "very thankful" he'll be coming home to America this weekend.

Sandi Blatchley told The Royal Gazette Andrew "Steve" Blatchley's one-year sentence was "the best news ever" because time he's already spent in custody means he'll be released immediately.

Blatchley, 59, an Englishman living in Charleston, South Carolina, was arrested by Police on his boat Bomba Shack as it left Bermuda last October 2. Officers found tens of thousands of dollars in cash, packaging wrapped in duct tape and a loaded revolver on board.

Blatchley admits the cash was the profit from bringing drugs into Bermuda. He told Police he was paid $60,000 for his role in importing 1,000 pounds of cannabis, worth an estimated $33 million on the streets.

He also told investigators that he gave $30,000 in cash to his American wife, who smuggled it out of Bermuda concealed in her clothing.

He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to laundering proceeds from the trafficking enterprise, but not guilty to conspiring to import cannabis. The Crown accepted the pleas, and the trafficking charge will lie on file.

He was sentenced yesterday to a year in prison. However, Blatchley has been in custody since his arrest last October. That time served will be taken into account, meaning the former automobile mechanic should be able to fly home this weekend.

Blatchley's lawyer, Craig Attridge, told Supreme Court yesterday that Blatchley is suffering from prostate cancer and a tumour on his spine, which has the potential to render him quadriplegic.

Mr. Attridge also explained he was "in considerable financial hardship" at the time he committed the offence.

"He was made redundant in late 2008, early 2009. His wife is registered disabled and received a $695-per-month disability cheque. As a result of his redundancy their property was foreclosed although they were able to keep making payments in respect of the boat.

"The plan then being that Mr. Blatchley would seek to use the boat to set up a charter business in the Caribbean. That had its issues, which in turn led him to Bermuda and before these courts today," said the lawyer.

"Ultimately this is a result of his redundancy and that his wife is disabled and unable to work in the US."

Meting out the prison term, Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons said financial hardship was no excuse for committing such a crime, as millions of Americans are suffering the same difficulties.

However, she said she had taken his ill health into account when deciding on the length of his sentence. Prisoners can be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence, which means Blatchley expects to be released from prison immediately.

In an e-mail to this newspaper sent prior to her husband's guilty plea, Mrs. Blatchley wrote: "He is [a] US coastguard certified captain, a Jamaican certified captain, but very most (sic) important, he is United States Homeland Security cleared. That meaning (sic) he could be a Secret Service security for the President of this country.

"He is not a drug dealer. He is a retired due to health issues person, doing charter work with his own sailboat, and is cleared for international waters."

She claimed Blatchley carried the firearm for "protection at sea" and that the Police "brought in the wrong boat" and the Bomba Shack "was never involved in anything".

Invited to comment after Blatchley's guilty plea and the sentencing hearing yesterday, Mrs. Blatchley e-mailed to say: "I have the best news ever. I am getting my husband back. I am very thankful that he is coming home.

"I still have lots of questions as to the original charges and what happen to that, but I will sort it all out later, I just want my man to get out of Bermuda and back home safely. I do not believe that is asking too much. This nightmare is over."

Invited to comment on her husband's admission that she smuggled $30,000 out of Bermuda for him, Mrs. Blatchley replied: "Sweetie, you please print what you would like to print. I do not care anymore."

She claimed her husband pleaded guilty in order to come home, adding: "He said I brought home money concealed in my clothing, that does not say too much for your authorities there at the airport does it now?

"I have heard a lot of accusations and theories, but never has anyone showed any evidence. Say whatever, I got what needed to happen. My man is coming home."