From Caribbean360

The smuggler was slapped with eight years in the slammer after being caught with about US$1.5 million worth of heroin in his underpants.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, 2014, CMC – A 24-year-old Bermudian has been jailed for eight years after being caught with almost US$1.5 million worth of heroin in his underpants following a flight from England.

Takai Tota, who pleaded guilty in November to possessing 499.82 grams of heroin with intent to supply, was sentenced by Supreme Court Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves on Friday.

The court heard that Tota and Seanee Smith, 26, left Bermuda on a flight to London on February 3 last year and returned to the island 10 days later.

After collecting their luggage from customs, the two were sent to different customs officers for secondary searches. The officers noticed a large bulge in Tota’s groin area and he appeared overly talkative and nervous.

He was taken to a search room and asked if he had any drugs, replying: “Yes, I have coke in my underwear.”

A search revealed five blue oval-shaped objects. While Tota repeated to officers that the packages contained cocaine, lab tests revealed the contents to be just less than 500 grams of heroin.

The court heard that if sold on the streets of Bermuda the heroin could fetch as much as US$1,470,800.

Tota was quoted in a social inquiry report as saying: “I was tired of being broke. I wanted to help my aunt out. The struggle was getting hard at home and I was getting tired of not being able to assist.

“All I can really say is I made a stupid choice. I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry for making such a dumb mistake,” he said.

The judge told Tota – “I think there’s still hope for you. You made a stupid mistake. You were man enough to admit it. I believe your apology was sincere, and I doubt very much that you will repeat this offence again.”

Tota’s accomplice, Smith, pleaded not guilty in November, but on Friday admitted possessing heroin. She will be sentenced later.

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