WA man jailed for trying to import meth

A former fly-in fly-out worker who ingested methylamphetamine in a bid to courier the drug into Australia has been jailed for seven years and three months.

Sinjin James Brown, 42, attempted to import almost 400 grams of meth, worth up to $460,000, the West Australian District Court heard on Friday.

Judge Michael Gething accepted Brown was remorseful and had been financially motivated to commit the crime in November because he was in debt.

But the judge said general deterrence was a significant sentencing factor.

"The illicit drug trade is a scourge," Judge Gething said.

Brown, who pleaded guilty to importing a border controlled drug in a marketable quantity, must serve at least four years and nine months behind bars before he can be eligible for parole.

With time already served, he could be released in August 2022.