MONTEGO BAY, St James — What began as a routine airport check ended in a costly courtroom penalty for Victoria Thomas, a United States resident who found herself at the centre of a ganja smuggling case.

On Wednesday, she appeared before the St James Parish Court charged with possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export ganja. She was fined a total of $56,000.

Thomas’ court appearance stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 11 at Sangster International Airport when she checked in to board a flight to Atlanta, Georgia. During the standard screening process, airport authorities discovered eight ounces of marijuana concealed among her belongings.

On Wednesday Thomas initially maintained her innocence, claiming she was the victim of a setup. She told the judge she had packed her own luggage, placing “tea bush” inside to take home for treating certain illnesses, and insisted she was not responsible for the marijuana.

“When you were at the airport, did they ask you if you packed the bag yourself?” judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton asked.

“Yes, and I did pack the bag myself, but it was some tea bush inside there,” Thomas replied.

“No ganja was inside there,” she insisted.

She pleaded not guilty and the court scheduled her to return in October. Moments later, however, she changed course, citing multiple issues.

The judge again gave her an opportunity to enter a plea and Thomas admitted guilt to all three charges.

Her penalties were handed down swiftly: $2,000 or 10 days in jail for possession, $4,000 or 10 days in jail for dealing, and $50,000 or 30 days in jail for attempting to export the drug.