Jordyn Alessi, A Visitor To The Cayman Islands & Director Of Salesforce In New York, Is Fined $800 For Importation Of Cannabinol Derivatives

By Alric Lindsay

Jordyn Alessi, a Cayman visitor and director of Corporate Development M&A Integration at Salesforce in New York, appeared in the Summary Court today, January 14, 2025, to face a charge of importation of a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, namely cannabinol derivatives in the form of gummies.   She was fined $800 or 8 weeks in prison in default of payment.

Background

Summarising the background of the incident, crown counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said that Alessi arrived in the Cayman Islands on January 9, 2025. Customs & Border Control officers stopped her at Owen Roberts International Airport and conducted a search.

Upon searching her bag, CBC officers found 13 gummies containing cannabis at a total weight of 32 grammes.

Reportedly, after being arrested and interviewed, Alessi admitted to possession of the gummies, which she stated were legal to possess in California, where she is from.  She admitted using them for medical purposes as she suffered from anxiety and stress. She apologised for not knowing that bringing these items into the Cayman Islands was illegal.

Sentencing

Arguing on Alessi’s behalf, defence counsel Oliver Grimwood noted that, according to the drug certificate, the gummies contained only CBD and no THC.  He added they had “no psychotropic effects whatsoever.”

Notwithstanding this, Grimwood acknowledged that Alessi should have checked the rules in Cayman before she travelled.

Grimwood then asked the Summary Court not to record a conviction against Alessi due to the nature of her job and the need to travel.

He explained:

Her role there is the regulatory side of mergers and acquisitions. It means that wherever the deal is taking place she has to travel to. She also, as many of the large tech companies offer their employees, there is quite wide ranging volunteer schemes as well. She has to travel primarily. She’s often going to Israel, she has to go to United Kingdom later this year. All specifically for her professional capacity at Salesforce for M & A work.

He added:

But she’s also later this year going to Chile because they have volunteer programmes that she signs up for with work. And much of those as the court would imagine are going to more deprived countries to help those that are less fortunate whilst also volunteering in her home state.

After hearing from crown and defence counsels, the Chief Magistrate noted that the Cayman courts continue to “grapple with this” problem of importation of gummies.

However, the Chief Magistrate said she accepted that the gummies were for personal use and that Alessi was not trying to hide them under the circumstances.

The Chief Magistrate also acknowledged the impact that a conviction would have on Alessi’s ability to travel for her job and, therefore, recorded no conviction, giving her an absolute discharge.

However, Alessi was ordered to pay costs to the crown of $800 or eight weeks in prison in default. 

The drugs were also ordered forfeited and destroyed.

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