A young mother was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for importing $10,000 of cocaine to the Island.

Tenae Dowling, 24, from Southampton, pleaded guilty to importing the drugs and possession with intent to supply.

Dowling arrived at L.F. Wade International Airport on May 16. A search revealed 56 grams of the controlled drug inside a body cavity.

Dowling, appearing in Magistrates' Court for sentencing yesterday, remained silent throughout the proceedings.

Llewellyn Peniston, representing Dowling, said his client was trying to earn money so she could return to school when she decided to act as a drug mule.

"She was prevailed upon by a more experienced person to commit this stupid act," Mr. Peniston said. "She is very remorseful."

He said his client had been cooperative with Police and asked for any period of imprisonment to be brief so that she would be able to return to her three-year-old daughter and continue her quest for further education.

"It will enable her to pick up her life and move forward in a more positive direction," he said.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner sentenced Dowling to 18 months imprisonment, saying: "This is nothing but a callous importation of drugs for her personal needs."