A St. Thomas resident and airport employee convicted of drug possession was sentenced in V.I. District Court on Thursday to 151 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

Isa Noel, 25, was found guilty in November 2013 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, along with two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. During Noel’s sentencing hearing on St. Thomas, attorneys argued that evidence recently presented in trial showed that Noel, a supervisor at GCG Ground Services at the Cyril E. King Airport, used his position to smuggle cocaine past security checkpoints.

According to attorneys, Noel and another alleged coconspirator smuggled six kilograms of cocaine to a courier in the airport’s bathroom; the courier was also arrested as he tried to board a flight to the U.S.

Evidence presented during Noel’s recent trial showed that Noel recruited a fellow baggage handler to deliver cocaine to another courrier. Both the baggage handler and the courier were arrested and prosecuted, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

After serving his jail time, Noel will also have to serve out five years of supervised release and has to pay a special assessment of $300, among other stipulations.

Before the judge sent down his final order, Noel asked for leniency and further requested that he be transferred somewhere that he can visit his daughter regularly.

District Court Judge Curtis Gomez said he wished he could be lenient but explained that Smith "could have made a better decision" before leaving his family.