Two women from England were given a mandatory sentence of 18 months in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday for attempting to export 100 pounds of ganja.

They are Elizabeth Fay Mason, 21, student and bartender and Serina Burnett, 25, hairdresser.

Both women pleaded guilty to possession, dealing, taking steps to export ganja and conspiracy to exporting ganja.

Allegations say on October 26, at the Norman Manley International Airport, one black and one blue suitcase destined to London, went through the X-ray machine and irregularities were observed. Burnett's name was on both suitcases.

The accused women were found outside the airport in the company of two men and were approached by officers. They were asked to identify the suitcases with Burnett's name and two sports bags with Mason's name.

They were asked to open the suitcases and 18 rectangular shape parcels containing three and a half pounds of ganja were found in each bag. It was indicated that each suitcase had 50 pounds of ganja.

The women were given the option of paying $15,000 or spending six months in prison for possession, $160,000 or six months in prison for dealing in ganja. They were admonished and discharged for conspiracy and for attempting to export ganja, they were fined $240,000 or six months in prison.

They were also given a mandatory 18 months prison term. If the fines are not paid the sentences are to run concurrently, but consecutive to the mandatory sentence.