By Alric Lindsay
A Jamaican national identified in the Summary Court as Mr. Foster was sentenced by the Chief Magistrate to two days’ imprisonment on multiple Ganja-related charges before being handed over to the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control (CBC) for repatriation, following a lengthy period of overstaying in the Cayman Islands.
The sentencing occurred today, April 7, 2026, where Foster appeared on charges of possession and consumption of Ganja (a “Miss Williams” was also jointly charged with Foster on at least one offence, however, she did not appear in court). He pleaded guilty to four counts:
– Possession of Ganja (3.88 grams) on November 8, 2025, at Old Crewe Road, George Town.
– Possession of Ganja (2.39 grams) on January 1, 2026, at a public beach in Pease Bay, Bodden Town.
– Consumption of Ganja between January 1 and January 29, 2026.
– Consumption of Ganja on November 8, 2025.
Facts presented in court by the Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions described one incident on January 29, 2026, where police responded to a report about persons sitting in a Honda Fit on the beach in Pease Bay smoking Ganja. Police found Foster and a female in the vehicle. Initially, both denied smoking Ganja and stated they were eating Burger King and relaxing.
A search was conducted of the vehicle and nothing illegal was found. However, when the police went to search Foster, he reportedly ran from the police to evade them. Police chased Foster and detained him in handcuffs.
In his sweatpants, police found vegetable matter resembling Ganja in plastic bags.
When Foster was interviewed, he admitted to using Ganja to manage depression and for his appetite. His urine tested positive for Ganja.
In another incident in November 2025, police were on mobile patrol and found Foster in the Honda Fit near Old Crewe Road. Officers smelled Ganja and later found vegetable matter resembling Ganja, a container, rolling papers and a grinder in the vehicle. Other containers were found in the trunk.
The Chief Magistrate heard from defence counsel that Foster had been living in his vehicle with assistance from Miss Williams for financial and short-term shelter needs. He had been unemployed for approximately two years after earlier financial crime investigations (later discontinued) prevented his departure. He intended to return to Jamaica around September 2023 but remained due to those matters.
The Chief Magistrate noted Foster’s candor and the relatively small quantities involved. She imposed two days’ imprisonment on all matters, to run concurrently, with immediate release into CBC custody for assisted departure from the jurisdiction.
Foster’s situation highlighted challenges faced by some overstayers who become destitute, living in vehicles or relying on others while awaiting resolution of legal or immigration issues. Cayman Islands authorities routinely enforce immigration laws through the Customs and Border Control service, which handles repatriations.
