A music producer was slapped with a two-year prison sentence and fined $650,000 after he confessed to hiding eight ounces of cocaine in the laptop of his 10-year-old son, who was about to leave the island for the United States.

Noel Hunter, 31, of Clarendon told police that he was given US$1,000 to smuggle the cocaine and promised another US$4,000 on delivery.

Hunters’ son was recently held at the Norman Manley International Airport with the laptop containing the contraband.

The court heard that, during the investigation, Gunter and his wife were questioned and Gunter told the police that he was the one who had placed the cocaine inside the laptop and that he was paid to do so and promised additional funds after the cocaine was delivered.

Last Wednesday when the case was mentioned, Gunter pleaded guilty to drugs charges before Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey.

But before he was sentenced his attorney, Dacia Logan, told the magistrate that this was his first offence and begged for mercy while pointing out that he was the father of three children and was expecting a fourth child.

“He is remorseful, he is very sorry for what he did,” Logan said.

The magistrate, before handing down the sentence said: “What is interesting is that he was going to saddle up his 10-year-old son with half-pound of cocaine to carry out of the island.”

Hunter was then given a 24-month mandatory sentence and ordered to pay $150,000 or serve six months in prison for possession of cocaine, $200,000 or six months for dealing in cocaine, and $300,000 or six months for taking steps to export cocaine.

If the fines are not paid, Hunter will spend a further six months in prison as the sentences will run concurrently, but consecutive to the mandatory prison sentence.

In addition, the magistrate also ruled that the sums of $86,000 and US$91 that were found in Hunter’s possession be forfeited by the State.

— Tanesha Mundle