JAMAICA – Canadians held with cocaine fined, sent to prison

Two Canadians have been fined and sentenced to prison for cocaine possession and attempting to export the drug from Jamaica.

The sentences were handed down yesterday when 22-year-old bartender Mariah Holland and 23-year-old enquiry officer Jaques-Francoise Moukoury appeared in the St James Parish Court.

Holland and Moukoury were arrested by members of the Narcotics Division at the Sangster International Airport on August 31, 2016 as they attempted to board a flight to Canada.

Holland was found in possession of three quart bottles containing six pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3.4 million; while Moukoury was found in possession of three quart bottles with four pounds of cocaine valued $2.2 million.

Holland and Moukoury were both fined $1 million or nine months imprisonment for possession of cocaine and $1.5 million or nine months imprisonment for attempting to export cocaine.

They must also serve a three-year mandatory imprisonment term.

Sentences will run consecutively if the fines are not paid.