Times Colonist

A mother found guilty of importing 11.4 kilograms of heroin concealed in her suitcase as a "mule" while returning from India with her young son has been sentenced to nine years in jail.

Kamaljit Kaur Dyal, 47, was sentencing in B.C. Supreme Court after a jury found her guilty for the crime committed in November 2004. Her son is now 11 years old.

The heroin, which had a street value of $6 million, was hidden in false-sided suitcases and in picture frames under the cover of wedding photographs.

"It involved the use of an innocent-looking woman travelling with her son to avoid detection from the crime," he said.

The judge said the jury found the woman -- who was married, had no criminal record or addiction to drugs and had been a contributing member of society -- wasn't innocent, although her only involvement was as courier.

"Ms. Dyal's involvement was solely profit-motivated," Justice Barry Davies wrote in his judgment.