"I'm doing it for the money", was what a British postman told narcotics police when he was held at the airport in Montego Baywith 3.9 kilograms (8.75lb) of cocaine disguised as cake mixes.

On Wednesday when the matter was brought before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court, Kenneth Francis of London, England, pleaded guilty to possession, dealing in and attempting to export cocaine.

The 43-year-old was sentenced to 12 months in prison at hard labour and fined $300,000 or 30 days for possession and $400,000 or three months for dealing in.

During a mitigation plea before Resident Magistrate Vivienne Harris, defence attorney Adrian Dayes said that his client is a single father and has incurred outstanding bank and student loans that he was unable to pay.

The facts are that he was attempting to check in at the Sangster International Airport to board a flight to England when a travelling bag he had was searched. Cocaine was discovered in six boxes labelled, cake mix. Under caution he told the police that he was trying to smuggle the contraband for money.