Businessman Charged With Importation Of Shotgun Cartridges & Ganja. Attorney Says Man Was Not In Cayman When The Shipping Container Arrived Here From South Africa. He Was Also Not Present When Container Was Packed By Shipping Company.
(Stock photos- not actual photos of items seized by CBC)
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By Alric Lindsay
Jerome Penn Mitchell, a work permit holder who is a partner with a real estate investment firm, Lionhead Capital Partners, appeared in the Summary Court on July 22, 2025, for a discussion about the court’s bail conditions and a mention regarding allegations of importation of ammunition and ganja. After considering his attorney’s explanation about his need to travel, the Chief Magistrate ordered that Mitchell pay a cash bond of $2,000 to secure his future appearance at court. In the circumstances, his bail was extended to September 2, 2025.
Background
According to the description of the charges, while Customs & Border Control Officers were inspecting a container on December 16, 2024, they found a vase wrapped in bubble wrap. Upon removal of the bubble wrap, CBC officers found ten rounds of shotgun ammunition.
As the inspection continued, CBC officers opened a small box containing a small glass mason jar with ganja. Mitchell was said to be off the island at the time of the inspection.
On January 21, 2025, Mitchell was arrested for importation of an unlicensed firearm, namely nine rounds of 12-gauge shotgun cartridges and one round of 20-gauge unexpended “Eley” cartridge. He was also charged with importation of 5.53 grams (0.19 ounces) of ganja.
Reportedly, Mitchell read a prepared statement and answered all questions put to him, stating that he moved here from South Africa, where he is a licensed firearm holder.
Reportedly, the items in his home were not packed by himself or his wife, as the shipping company stated that only they could pack the items in his home due to it being an insurance liability. (Reportedly, Mitchell was in the Cayman Islands while the items were being packed.)
Based on the court documents, arrangements were made for all his licensed firearms and ammunition to be removed from his home. According to the court documents, some of the items were intended for shipment to the Cayman Islands, while others were supposed to be delivered to an address in South Africa.
Reportedly, Mitchell said he was very sorry and that he was not there to make sure that the shipping operation was done correctly and apologised to CBC officers for the amount of time wasted.
Court bail granted
On July 22, 2025, it was noted that Mitchell’s first court appearance was on June 17, 2025. However, the matter could not proceed any further on July 22, 2025 as his attorney was waiting for a letter from the shipping company in South Africa before making representations to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It is understood that, upon receipt of this information, the DPP would be asked to reconsider the charges.
Mitchell’s attorney explained that although four weeks were initially requested to make the relevant representations to the DPP, it has “taken a considerable amount of time to get a letter from the shipping company in South Africa” confirming Mitchell’s position.
In the circumstances, Mitchell’s attorney requested additional time and for the matter to be heard in the first week of September. This date was also requested because Mitchell was expected to travel and would not return to the Cayman Islands until August 28, 2025.
Concerning Mitchell’s planned travel, his attorney indicated that he was not a flight risk as he had been traveling back and forth to Cayman since his arrest. In addition, his attorney said Mitchell recently bought a very expensive property in the Cayman Islands.
Regarding the foregoing, DPP Crown Counsel noted that, based on the type of allegations, it would normally be the case that Mitchell’s movements would be regulated. This is because he is a work permit holder and there is no guarantee that he would return.
After hearing from Mitchell’s attorney and DPP Crown Counsel, the Chief Magistrate clarified that what triggers the court’s considerations for bail conditions is “the fact that it has been brought to the court’s attention that he has been travelling back and forth, something the court was not aware of prior.”
The Chief Magistrate emphasised that, although CBC may not have had any concerns about Mitchell’s travels, CBC’s position is different from the bail conditions granted by the court.
The Chief Magistrate added that “Permit holders don’t always return when they have charges such as these before the court.”
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Magistrate noted that there are bail conditions that can be imposed without Mitchell having to surrender his passport.
In the circumstances, the Chief Magistrate said that Mitchell must pay a cash bond of $2,000 and his bail was extended to September 2, 2025.
Note to readers
This article refers to allegations only and does not imply guilt. The final determination will be made in court after all the evidence has been heard. Alternatively, the DPP could decide not to proceed with the charges upon obtaining relevant information.
