First-time visitor fined $80 000 for importing drugs

Shakeena Lynette James agreed to bring in a family friend’s suitcase on her visit to Barbados but failed to check its contents.

That lapse in judgement landed the 40-year-old before the Oistins Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where she pleaded guilty to four drug-related offences, including the importation of cannabis valued at $176 000.

James, of Massachusetts Avenue, Southwest Marietta, Georgia, in the United States, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Deidre McKenna accused of possession, trafficking, possession with intent to supply, and importation of 24.2 pounds of cannabis on Tuesday.

The court heard that James arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on board a Delta flight from Atlanta. After clearing immigration, she collected a hard-shell suitcase and proceeded to customs, where personnel interviewed her. The bag was searched, and 20 black vacuum-sealed packages were discovered containing vegetable matter. The police were contacted.

James told the court that a few days before boarding the flight, her deceased husband’s friend asked if she wanted to be a part of his entourage on his trip to Barbados, and she agreed. He provided her with the flight information and other details. On the mentioned date, he took her to the airport and asked her to take his luggage with hers as he was flying in the following day. She went along with his request.

“I am guilty. I should have checked, and I apologise to the country of Barbados cause this is not me,” James stated.

“Ma’am, you are 40 years old. How many TV shows are there where people get caught bringing in things and say that it is somebody else’s, whether it is true or not? By now, everybody should know, you don’t bring things for people without checking to see what they are giving you to bring. A whole suitcase and you don’t know what is in it?…. You should have said, ‘Unless you’re packing this suitcase in my presence or unless you are opening it in my presence, I am not taking it.’ You cannot trust anybody nowadays!” Magistrate McKenna stressed.

James, a first-time visitor to Barbados, was fined $80 000 forthwith for the trafficking offence, or 12 months in prison if unpaid. She was convicted, reprimanded, and discharged on the remaining charges.

“As you are a visitor, if the fine is not paid today, you will have to go to prison until it is paid,” the magistrate warned. “On your release, I am going to order that you be handed over to Immigration. Please do not find yourself in this position again.”

“Never,” James responded, thanking the court as she left the dock.