A United States citizen visiting Barbados for the primary time has vowed “by no means” to seek out herself in an identical scenario after she was caught importing unlawful medication into the island.
Shakeena Lynette James, 40, appeared earlier than performing Chief Justice of the Peace Deidre McKenna on Friday, the place she pleaded responsible to 4 drug-related offences, together with possession, trafficking, possession with intent to provide, and importation of 24.2 kilos of hashish valued at BDS$176,000.
James, from Massachusetts Avenue, Southwest Marietta in Georgia, was fined BDS$80,000 (roughly US$40,000) to be paid instantly or face 12 months imprisonment.
The courtroom heard that James arrived at Grantley Adams Worldwide Airport on a Delta flight from Atlanta. After clearing immigration, she collected a hard-shell suitcase and proceeded to customs, the place authorities searched her bag and located 20 black vacuum-sealed packages containing vegetable matter. The police had been referred to as.
James advised the courtroom, “A number of days earlier than boarding the flight, my deceased husband’s good friend requested if I wished to be part of his entourage on his journey to Barbados, and I agreed. He offered me with the flight data and different particulars. He took me to the airport and requested me to take his baggage with mine as he was flying within the following day. I went alongside along with his request.”
“I’m responsible. I ought to have checked, and I apologise to the nation of Barbados, ’trigger this isn’t me,” she added.
Justice of the Peace McKenna, noting James’ age, mentioned: “What number of TV exhibits are there the place folks get caught bringing in issues and say that it’s any individual else’s, whether or not it’s true or not?”
“By now, all people ought to know, you don’t carry issues for folks with out checking to see what they’re providing you with to carry. A complete suitcase and also you don’t know what’s in it?…It’s best to have mentioned, ‘Until you’re packing this suitcase in my presence or until you might be opening it in my presence, I’m not taking it.’ You can not belief anyone these days!” the Justice of the Peace careworn.
James was convicted on the cost of trafficking, reprimanded, and discharged on the remaining costs.
“In your launch, I’m going to order that you just be handed over to immigration. Please don’t end up on this place once more,” Justice of the Peace McKenna mentioned, to which James replied, “By no means,” thanking the courtroom as she left the dock.
