Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

A Briton who attempted to smuggle 36 pounds of ganja out of Jamaica was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old father of six, Martin Perry, of an England address, said he was in possession, dealing in and attempting to export ganja.

In addition to his sentence, he was fined $15,000 for possession and $250,000 for attempting to export the contraband. If the fines are not paid, six months will be added to his sentence.

Perry told the court that his actions were stupid but said that he was offered 5,000 pounds to take the drugs to England.

"The way he (the man who gave him the drugs) explained it to me, I thought it would be easy," Mr. Perry told RM Winsome Henry.

"It's a stupid thing I've done and I'm guilty."

The convicted man said he was in Jamaica for two weeks for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup activities when he met a man who offered him money to take the drugs abroad.

The facts are that he was seen acting suspiciously at the Sangster International Airport on Sunday, April 1. He was questioned and a suitcase in his possession was searched. The piece of luggage contained nine parcels of ganja weighing 36 pounds.