British man fined $750,000 for cocaine hidden in slippers in luggage at airport

Glenn Mason, a British man who was held with one and a half pounds of cocaine hidden inside two pairs of slippers at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport on September 30, was ordered to pay a total fine of $750,000 when he appeared in court today.

Mason, a 53-year-old resident of London, England, wore a resigned expression on his face when he appeared in the St James Parish Court for his sentencing hearing.

He had pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine.

During today's hearing, Mason's attorney Suwayne Phillips urged presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton to show leniency to her client, citing his excellent social enquiry report and the fact that he has been unemployed since 1996 due to a work-related accident.

Phillips also noted that Mason's family members were not able to assist him at this time.

But, in passing sentence, Fairclough-Hylton told Mason that his actions helped to put Jamaica's reputation in a bad light.

“Far too often, persons visit this beautiful country, and on their way out of this beautiful country, they are held with cocaine. What that does is that it tarnishes the name of this beautiful country,” said Fairclough-Hylton.

“I have to send a message to those who think that Jamaica is a safe haven for them to come and export cocaine.”

Mason was ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 or spend three months in prison for possession of cocaine, $250,000 or three months for dealing in cocaine, and $300,000 or four months for attempting to export cocaine.

The facts are that on September 30, at 4:15 p.m., a police team at the Sangster International Airport in St James conducting surveillance of outgoing passengers boarding a flight to London, when Mason was approached by the lead officer and his luggage was searched.

Two pairs of slippers which felt suspiciously heavy were found in his luggage and subsequently examined.

Four parcels of a white substance resembling cocaine were found inside the slippers and Mason was arrested and charged.

- Christopher Thomas

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