A man who was caught trying to smuggle marijuana into Trinidad and Tobago by strapping it on to his crotch and ingesting pellets, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment at hard labour in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Charged with possession of, dealing in and taking steps to export ganja is Ika Anderson of a Kellits address in Clarendon.

The facts are that on November 26, the 42-year-old fitness instructor was preparing to leave the island for Trinidad on a Caribbean Airlines flight when he was searched by the police. One parcel containing one pound of ganja was found strapped to his groin.

The accused also admitted to swallowing pellets, but told the police that he had expelled them before coming to the airport. This proved to be untrue, however, as when he was admitted to the Kingston Public Hospital, he expelled seven pellets, over a two-day period.

Anderson was also sentenced to $1,900 or six months for possession, $3,800 or six months for dealing and $9,500 or six months for taking steps to export the drug. If he fails to pay his fines he will serve 18 months in jail.