A Bermudian woman, who claimed she swallowed 67 cocaine pellets because she was forced to do so, will be spending the next four years in prison for drug trafficking.
Njere Foudler, 23, the electronic technician who was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri on January 24, was also fined $1,480,700 by Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The unrepresented Foudler pleaded guilty when the charge was read to her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 2.
It was alleged that she had in her possession 551 grammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones said Foudler was an outgoing passenger booked on a Caribbean Airlines flight destined for the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. He said while she was going through the security scan at the CJIA, a rank from the narcotics branch found a pellet in her purse. He then examined it and found the cocaine.
After Foudler was questioned, Jones said, she admitted to swallowing a quantity of cocaine pellets. She was immediately taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was given a laxative and the pellets were eventually recovered.
Foudler was admitted as a patient under police guard at the hospital for some time before being discharged.
Speaking in a low tone before she was sentenced, Foudler admitted having the substance in her possession but repeatedly said she was forced to swallow it.
However, when the magistrate asked her if she had anything to say to the court, she answered, “No, but I can assist the police to further investigate about the person who did this to me.”
Foudler walked out the courtroom in tears after the sentence was handed down.
