ST JAMES, Jamaica – A British man, who failed in his attempt to smuggle 11 pounds of cocaine from the island, made his first appearance in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Loran Bartley, a 59-year-old retired nurse from West Bromwich, is charged with possession of, dealing in, attempting to export and conspiracy to export cocaine.

According to court documents, on May 6 about 4:20 pm, Bartley reportedly checked in at the Sangster International Airport to board a flight destined to Birmingham, England.

His carry-on luggage and checked-in suitcase were searched and found to contain packages with cocaine concealed inside false compartments.

When cautioned, Bartley reportedly said to the officer, “I don’t know…That’s how I got the suitcase from Birmingham.”

READ: British residents charged in J$55 million drug busts at St James airport

During Wednesday’s hearing, the accused man did not enter a plea.

However, after the allegations were outlined, Bartley’s lawyer, Shelly-Ann Hyman, informed the court that she had seen the statement on file despite not having been officially served.

Hyman also mentioned that she was hoping for an indication regarding sentencing, noting that her client is suffering from a variety of medical conditions and requested that the case be brought back before the court at an early date.

“I will set the matter for the 19th of May to see where we are in terms of how we’ll proceed..in the interim, you give your fingerprints to the police, and you are remanded in cusody until then,” presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley said before Bartley was whisked away to the holding area.