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By Alric Lindsay
On May 30, 2025, an allegation of illicit trafficking of 162 pounds of ganja was made against Eric Cunningham and Radmond Samuels. The men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
What is illicit trafficking?
According to Section 19(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, if a person is knowingly concerned in the carrying or concealing of a controlled drug on the ship, knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that the drug is intended to be imported or has been exported contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act or the law of any state other than the Cayman Islands commits an offence.
In this case, it is alleged that on March 25, 2025, Cunningham and Samuels, on a vessel registered in Jamaica, trafficked 162 lbs of Ganja, intending it to be imported into the Cayman Islands. The men denied the charges.
The men were remanded in custody and are scheduled to face trial in September 2025.
Note to readers
Regarding illicit trafficking, section 19 of the Misuse of Drugs Act states as follows:
Ships used for illicit traffic
19. (1) This section applies to
(a) a Cayman ship;
(b) a ship registered in a state other than the Islands which is a party to the Vienna Convention; and
(c) a ship that is not registered in any country or territory.
(2) A person on a ship to which this section applies, wherever it may be who:
(a) has a controlled drug in his possession; or
(b) is knowingly concerned in the carrying or concealing of a controlled drug on the ship, knowing or having reasonable grounds to suspect that the drug is intended to be imported or has been exported contrary to section 3(1) or the law of any state other than the Islands commits an offence and is liable — (i) (ii) if the controlled drug is a hard drug — (A) on summary conviction to a fine of twenty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years; or (B) on conviction on indictment to a fine and to imprisonment for life; or if the controlled drug is not a hard drug — (A) on summary conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for two years; or (B) on conviction on indictment to a fine and to imprisonment for fourteen years.
(3) A certificate purporting to be issued by or on behalf of the government of a state to the effect that the import or export of a controlled drug is prohibited by the law of that state is evidence of the matter stated.
