By Alric Lindsay
Today, November 19, 2024, Reginald Wilmar Walks Jr, an American citizen, walked free after pleading guilty to the importation of 0.599 grams of MDMA/Ecstasy, 6.18 grams of Ganja and 0.81 grams of methamphetamine into Owen Roberts International Airport. Instead of jail time, the Summary Court ordered him to pay $2,802 for the cost of the drug testing and ordered that the drugs be forfeited and destroyed.
Background
Regarding the background of the arrest, it was explained in Summary Court that, on November 14, 2024, Walks Jr arrived on a JetBlue flight from New York.
During a search by Customs and Border Control officers, a glass jar containing a crystal-like rock was found. When Walks Jr. was asked what the substance was, he reportedly told CBC officers that he didn’t know.
Upon continuing the search, CBC officers detected the smell of Ganja in Walks Jr.’s backpack. Although Walks Jr. denied having Ganja, CBC officers found four pre-rolled Ganja spliffs.
In addition to the foregoing, there were vape cartridges in his luggage which had traces of THC oil. Walks Jr was not charged for these.
Walks Jr was arrested, cautioned, and taken to the Cayman Islands Detention Centre.
Sentencing
In Summary Court, Lene Doherty, the attorney for Walks Jr, explained that he travelled to the Cayman Islands on a “surprise vacation” trip for his anniversary. In the circumstances, he packed his bags in a rush and didn’t realise that the drugs were there. Further, he did not know he was leaving the United States until his partner revealed the surprise destination in the taxi on the way to the airport at 5am.
Concerning the MDMA/Ecstasy and the methamphetamine, it was explained to the Summary Court that Walks Jr lives with his younger brother. It was implied that since he and his brother shared things, including clothing and bags, the MDMA/Ecstasy and the methamphetamine likely belonged to his brother.
In the circumstances, the Summary Court was asked to consider that Walks Jr. was 37 years old and had no previous convictions. In addition, a conviction may jeopardize his employment upon his return to New York.
Attorney Lene Doherty
Before sentencing Walks Jr, Magistrate McFarlane told him that “there is no excuse for traveling to an overseas jurisdiction with drugs” given consequences faced by high profile persons caught with drugs overseas.
Magistrate McFarlane added: “If you are traveling to a different jurisdiction, that is on you to ensure that you understand the rules and the regulations and the laws in relation to the jurisdiction.”
Magistrate McFarlane continued: “If you were from here, for example, you might be dealing with a very different sort of result.”
Magistrate McFarlane then explained that Walks Jr. would be conditionally discharged if he did not commit any further offences in the Cayman Islands for a period of 12 months. In addition, he must pay $2,802 before he leaves the Court building today. Lastly, the drugs were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
