By Alric Lindsay
A husband and wife from the United States pleaded guilty in Summary Court today, April 15, 2026 to importing 37 cannabis-infused gummies containing delta-9 THC into the Cayman Islands, after they were discovered inside a suitcase at Owen Roberts International Airport.
Mr. and Mrs. Selecki, arrived from Miami on April 4, 2026, intending a short vacation. Both US citizens initially denied possessing or using any THC or CBD products when questioned by Customs and Border Control officers. A single red gummy was first found in Mrs. Selecki’s toiletry bag, which she claimed was a prenatal vitamin. Further search of a large cream hard-top suitcase revealed a Vita Fusion bottle containing three different types of gummies marked with a triangle and ganja leaf symbol. Mrs. Selecki again described them as prenatal gummies.
When cautioned, Mr. Selecki admitted the gummies belonged to him but said his wife had packed them. Both later told investigators under caution — without attorneys present — that they had visited the Cayman Islands before, did not realize THC and CBD products were illegal here, and used the items solely for personal recreational purposes. They explained moving items between bags to balance weight and that the gummies, normally sold in smaller packets of about 20, had been combined into the vitamin container for convenience.
Defence counsel acknowledged the couple’s initial dishonesty stemmed from nervousness after a long travel day, but highlighted their full admissions during interviews, early guilty pleas, genuine remorse, and lack of any intent to supply or distribute the small quantity. The court heard they are not frequent international travellers, with Mr. Selecki working as an IT manager for a veterinary practice and Mrs. Selecki as a bar manager. The pair have three adult children and contribute to their college expenses. They also incurred extra costs from changing flights and accommodation after the incident.
The Chief Magistrate noted the repeated denials, the misleading use of a prenatal vitamin bottle (which she described as leaning toward an inference of concealment), and Mr. Selecki’s impatient remark about wanting to “just get to the beach” after roughly 45 minutes to an hour of questioning. While accepting the harm was low and the gummies were for personal recreational use, the Chief Magistrate found culpability was not low given the circumstances and lack of special mitigation. The couple was ordered to pay a joint fine of $2,500 (not individually), with 25 days in default, and the gummies were forfeited and ordered destroyed. Their passports were to be released upon payment, with a right to pay within seven days.
Under the Cayman Islands’ Misuse of Drugs Act, importation of controlled drugs like THC products carries potential penalties of fines up to CI$20,000 and imprisonment, though courts often impose financial penalties for small personal-use quantities brought by visitors
This case serves as a reminder of the Cayman Islands’ strict zero-tolerance policy on recreational cannabis and related products, even when purchased legally in the United States. Recreational use remains prohibited, and importation of any cannabis-derived items — including edibles — is banned, regardless of quantity or packaging. Travellers are strongly advised to declare all items and familiarise themselves with local laws before arrival.
