HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept 24, CMC – A 25-year-old Canadian woman has been sentenced to two years in jail for her involvement in a plot to import an estimated US$1.8 million worth of cocaine into the country two years ago.
In passing sentence on Mara Faiazza, who earlier this year had pleaded guilty to a charge of importation of a controlled drug related to an incident on May 19, Justice Juan Wolffe said that while the offence was serious, the defendant had showed genuine remorse and provided “substantial” help to officials.
He noted the large amount of drugs seized, adding that that while the offence would usually carry a sentence of eight years in prison, Faiazza was entitled to a 75 per cent discount for her assistance.
“I trust and hope that, during the time you are incarcerated and once you finish, you do provide advice to those young women and men that they must be very careful about who they associate with, because it could end literally in tears,” he said.
Prosecutor Adley Duncan told the court that Faiazza flew to the country from Toronto with a checked grey suitcase and that Customs K9 unit showed interest in Faiazza’s checked-in suitcase as it sat on the baggage carousel waiting to be collected.
After Faiazza picked up her luggage, she was selected by customs officers for a secondary inspection. The woman initially said she had packed her bag herself but when she was asked for the combination to open the locked suitcase, she said it belonged to a friend.
She told officials that her friend had given her the suitcase at Toronto Pearson International Airport before her flight and that someone else who knew her was supposed to collect it from her in Bermuda.
The suitcase was later searched and the authorities found 40 heat-sealed bags containing 17,779 grams of cannabis with a street value of up to US$1,777,900.
When cautioned, she told the officers: “I guess I trusted the wrong person.”
Duncan said the offence was very serious, particularly given the quantity of drugs discovered and that the starting point for such an offence was eight years. However, he said that the defendant was entitled to a significant discount because of the assistance she had provided.
Attorney Charles Richardson, said his client was a young woman with a previously clean record and that she had made a “careless mistake” in bringing the suitcase to Bermuda without knowing its contents.
“She would be a clueless mule. She was used by those who packed the bag and gave her very little information.”
Faiazza told the court that she was immensely apologetic and wanted to do whatever she could to give back and prevent others from finding themselves in the same position.
She told her family: “This is no reflection on any of you. You are really amazing and beautiful people and I don’t want these actions to be a reflection on you because it’s not.”
Justice Wolffe said there was no doubt the defendant’s actions were “extremely egregious,” noting “being a part of an offence which had the potential of putting drugs on to the streets of Bermuda is reprehensible.
“A very clear message must be sent to those who decide to import drugs into Bermuda that they will be treated harshly by these courts. Having said this, I am obliged to take into consideration the level of amends that the defendant has taken to right her wrongs”
The judge said that drugs had torn the fabric of Bermuda apart and any assistance given that could help to prevent further harm should be acknowledged.
CMC/af/ir/2024