ST Ann gardener, Ralphinne Cassells, who said he had swallowed more than a pound of cocaine in an attempt to help his sick mother, was this week given an 18-month prison term.

He was also fined $175,000 for the offence when he appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court.

The 27 year-old Runaway Bay resident was stopped and interviewed by the police at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay at about 6:00 pm on March 17 while on his way to England.

He was later taken to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he excreted 99 packages of cocaine, weighing one pound, 6.93 ounces.

He was arrested and charged for possession of, dealing in and attempting to export cocaine.

In court Monday, Cassells apologised for the offence and pleaded with presiding magistrate Valerie Stephens to be merciful.

“I’m very sorry. Mi nah do it again,” he said. “The reason why mi do it is because mi mother sick and if mi do it, mi can buy medication and build a one room fi her.”

After listening to his explanation, RM Stephens had some stern words for him.

“If you had managed to reach England it would have been between five and eight years or if you had reached England, the substance could have exploded and you’d be dead,” she warned.

For possession of the drug, he was fined $75,000 or six months. And for attempting to export the substance, he was fined $100,000 or six months and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

The dealing charge was dismissed.