WESTERN BUREAU:

A British carpenter who ingested two pounds of cocaine for export to England was sentenced in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Morgan Lee, 38, from Charlton in London, England, pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine.

Allegations say, on February 17, Lee attempted to board a flight destined for London at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, when he was approached and questioned by the investigating officer who was acting on information received.

Lee was taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was X-rayed and foreign substances were found in his stomach. He subsequently excreted 53 cylindrical packages, each containing a white substance resembling cocaine, between February 17 and March 2. On March 3, he was charged.

"Have you ever been charged for any previous offence?" Resident Magistrate (RM) Sandria Wong-Small asked Lee.

"No, Your Honour," said Lee.

"Is there anything you wish to say to me before I pass sentence?" asked RM Wong-Small.

"I am very sorry, I'll never do it again. I missed my 16-year-old daughter's birthday last week and it's even worse," Lee replied.

"Missing your daughter's birthday is one of the many consequences you will have to pay for embarking on this little venture," said the magistrate.

Lee was fined $200,000 fine or six months for possession, and $250,000 or six months for attempting to export. He was admonished and discharged for dealing.

He will also spend a mandatory 18 months' imprisonment, with all terms of imprisonment to run consecutively if the fines are not paid.