SURINAMESE Joel Ofwintu, 22, was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $715,500 for drug trafficking in Guyana.

Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton imposed the penalties on him after he pleaded guilty to being in possession of 795 grammes of cocaine for the purpose, on April 5, at Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Defence Counsel Patrice Henry said the prisoner fell to temptation because his mother is sick and he needed to raise some money.

The lawyer asked that the Court show the alien mercy as he did not waste time and is a young father of four children with a future ahead.

Henry requested a minimum sentence but the magistrate also ordered that the convict be deported to Suriname at the expiration of his prison term.