By Tashieka Mair, Star Writer
WESTERN BUREAU
A ENGLISHMAN WHO tried to leave Jamaica with 500 grammes (one pound) of cocaine in his stomach was imprisoned after he pleaded guilty in the Montego Bay RM Court on Monday.
Claudius Panton, 47, pleaded guilty to possession, dealing and taking steps to export cocaine.
The court heard that on October 18 at about 3:40 p.m., Mr. Panton went to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and checked in to board a Britannia flight to London. The police at the check-in area interviewed him. As a result of what he disclosed, he was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital and between the 18th and 23rd, he excreted 17 pellets of cocaine.
Mr. Panton told RM Winsome Henry that he knew that his actions were stupid but he was trying to support his son who is attending college, and his unborn child.
RM Henry, in handing down her sentence, said this type of crime has been too prevalent.
"It's sad that the foreign nationals come here and try to transport drugs and it's giving Jamaica a bad name," she said. "I am afraid you will have to go to prison."
He said he is currently un-employed because after his parents died, he suffered a psychological breakdown which rendered him unfit to work.
He will serve one year on all three charges. All three sentences will however run concurrently.
In addition to the sentences, he was fined $100,000 or six months for possession and for attempting to export, he was fined $200,000 or six months in prison.
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