A woman who attempted to smuggle 10 pounds of marijuana to St Maarten, will have to serve at least three months in jail for the offence.

Patsy Sharifa Plinton, 30, of a Westmoreland address, pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in and attempting to export marijuana. The court was told that Plinton was preparing to board a flight to St Maarten when her luggage was searched and two tins of cheese, containing marijuana, were found.

When she appeared in court, Plinton told Resident Magistrate Glen Brown that she was given the cheese by a man whom she only knew his first name. She told the court that the man used to live where she was living.

Plinton was sentenced to pay $15,000 or serve six months for possession. She was admonished and discharged for dealing and was ordered to pay $48,000 or serve six months for taking steps to export drugs. In addition, she will serve a mandatory three-month sentence.

If she fails to pay the fines, she will have to serve nine months in jail.