American Nurse Visiting Cayman Fined $3,500 & Gets No Conviction Recorded For Importing 107 Gummies. Her Travel Partner, Another Nurse, Was Fined $1,200 With No Conviction Recorded
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By Alric Lindsay
Kigan Colleen Prendergast and Courtney Michelle Eyster, nurses from the United States visiting the Cayman Islands this month, appeared in the Summary Court today, February 12, 2025. They faced charges of importation of controlled drugs in the form of cannabinol derivatives and vape cartridges containing THC. They pleaded guilty (with an explanation) to the charges, but no conviction was recorded. Prendergast was ordered to pay a fine of $1,200, and Eyster must pay $3,500.
Details of Prendergast’s offence
In the case of Prendergast, crown counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said Prendergast travelled with friends to the Cayman Islands on February 7, 2025, on a Cayman Airways flight from Tampa, Florida.
She initially passed through Customs & Border Control through the “nothing to declare” line and exited the airport. A Customs & Border Control officer reportedly went outside, saying that her luggage needed to be verified.
When asked whether she had any CBD products, she reportedly said she had wellness drinks that she used for sleep and to deal with stress. These drinks were marked in the United States as legal wellness drinks.
After a search, CBC officers found 12 pouches containing less than 2 ounces of cannabinol derivatives, being Delta 9 THC and CBD.
Prendergast reportedly took responsibility and explained that she purchased the drinks over the counter. She added that no prescription was required.
Ultimately, she apologised and expressed remorse for bringing the products to the Cayman Islands.
After hearing from DPP crown counsel and Prendergast’s attorney Gavin Dixon and Prendergast’s prepared court statement, the Chief Magistrate said she accepted her remorse was sincere and regretted committing the offence.
The Chief Magistrate found that there were “extremely personally mitigating circumstances” and ordered that she be absolutely discharged with no conviction recorded. However, Prendergast must pay $1,200 in costs to the crown or spend 12 weeks in jail in default of payment.
Details of Eyster’s offence
Regarding Eyster, DPP crown counsel said she arrived on the same flight as Prendergast. The two worked together as nurses in the United States.
Eyster was called from the “nothing to declare” line by CBC officers and asked whether she had any THC or CBD products. Reportedly, Eyster confirmed that she had gummies.
Searches by CBC officers revealed several Ziplock bags containing 107 gummies, each containing less than two grams of cannabinol derivatives. CBC officers also found 7 vape cartridges containing less than 2 grams of D8 & D9 THC.
However, things appeared to go sour upon being arrested.
Reportedly, Eyster said, “I am being arrested, but I told you I had them.”
According to DPP crown counsel, Eyster added:
I spent over $6,000 on accommodation and I can’t even go to it.
Hurry up, do what you’ve got to do so I can get out of here.
DPP crown counsel added that Eyster arose from her seat in an “aggressive manner” and said, “just give me all of them, you’re taking your precious time.”
Reportedly, a senior CBC officer placed handcuffs on Eyster “for the safety of everyone in the room” as she was being very “disorderly.”
Overall, Eyster was described as “non-compliant” by DPP crown counsel.
Arguing on Eyster’s behalf in the Summary Court, attorney Gavin Dixon said:
I don’t want to throw shade on CBC officers who are not here to defend themselves, but this was a case where they have an individual who they would not have known suffers from high anxiety, stress and so forth and depression.
… unfortunately, they did not react the way that I feel a seasoned officer should react to somebody carrying on the way that she did.
Eyster’s attorney also explained why she had 107 gummies.
Reportedly, Eyster’s dosage was six gummies at a time for six days. A daytime and nighttime dose would be taken.
After hearing from DPP crown counsel and Eyster’s attorney and a prepared statement from Eyster apologising for her behaviour at the airport and with customs, the Chief Magistrate explained that without CBC officers knowing her medical history, Eyster’s behaviour could have come across as “absolutely entitled.”
Applying leniency, the Chief Magistrate said she accepted that Eyster had a medical marijuana card, which was presented to the Summary Court. The Chief Magistrate also accepted Eyster’s statement about the dosage of gummies she takes daily.
The Chief Magistrate further noted that the gummies were legally obtained with a prescription for medical reasons.
In the circumstances, the Chief Magistrate gave Eyster an absolute discharge and did not record a conviction. However, Eyster must pay costs to the crown of $3,500 or spend 30 weeks in jail in default.
In both cases, the drugs are ordered forfeited and destroyed, and passports will be released upon payment of the fines.
