Hard luck story rejected, Canadian gets jail time

A Canadian national who claimed that hardship, sparked by a series of recent deaths in his family, motivated him to smuggle cocaine out of Jamaica was last week slapped with a sentence of 18 months at hard labour.

Jermaine Hudson of an Ontario address in Canada was sentenced when he appeared in the St James Parish Court. He pleaded guilty to possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export the three pounds and 11 ounces of cocaine. His lawyer, Martyn Thomas, told presiding judge Sandria Wong-Small that he was motivated by financial constraints and family challenges.

"A string of deaths in his family contributed to the hardships Mr Hudson was already experiencing because he had to help make funeral arrangements, and it affected his work and he lost his job," Thomas told the court. "Quite foolishly, and desperate to some extent, he accepted an offer to journey to Jamaica, where he would be given the substance to transport to Canada."

However, the judge did not buy Hudson's hard-luck story, telling him that in her time on the bench, she had heard many similar stories from persons who got involved in the smuggling of drugs.

"You're one of many persons who pass through these doors for ventures such as this," said Wong Small. "The cocaine you had is a lot of cocaine, and in the circumstances, it is my intention to impose a term of imprisonment."

According to the allegations against Hudson, on Thursday, August 30, he arrived at the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, to board a flight to Toronto. He was interviewed by airport officials and his luggage searched. During the search, three bags of coffee were found.

On close examination of the bags of coffee, it was discovered that they contained a white, powdery substance. When tested, the substance was confirmed to be cocaine. Hudson was subsequently arrested and charged.

In addition to the 18-month custodial sentence, Hudson was ordered to pay $500,000 or spend an additional six months in prison for possession of cocaine, and $600,000 or six months for attempting to export cocaine. He was admonished and not fined for dealing in cocaine.