A British chef was fined $115,000 and sentenced to nine months in prison after he attempted to export 18kg (40lb) of ganja from Jamaica.

Jairzinho Brown, 37, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to the offence.

Brown, who represented himself in court, said that personal debts and the global economic crisis were primarily the reasons why he tried to export the weed from the island's shores. "Your Honour, I owe three banks in England over £7,000 and I'm out of a job now. I'm stressing because the world is in an economic crisis and I couldn't find a job," he said. "I'm a vulnerable person. I am sorry for what I did."

Brown, who came to Jamaica on November 6, said a local talked him into committing the crime, telling him that he could make easy money. He said the weed, which he tried to export to the United Kingdom, cost him £3,000.

Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown ruled that the accused man be fined $115,000 and spend nine months in prison.