Visitor Fined $1,100 For Importation Of THC and CBD. No Conviction Recorded.
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By Alric Lindsay
In the Summary Court today, January 9, 2025, Cory Jane Mason Williams, a visitor from North Carolina, was fined $1,100 for importing cannabinol derivatives in the form of tonic drinks. No conviction was recorded, and the drugs were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
Background
Setting out the background to the incident, Angelique McLoughlin, crown counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that Mrs Williams arrived in the Cayman Islands on January 3, 2025, on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Upon searching her luggage, Customs & Border Control officers found a pouch containing seven packets of flavoured tonic. Each packet was clearly labelled, containing 2 milligrams of THC and 4 milligrams of CBD.
Subsequently, Mrs Williams was cautioned, arrested, and taken to the Cayman Islands Detention Centre.
When interviewed, she fully admitted to being in possession of the recovered items.
Sentencing
Arguing on her behalf, attorney Jonathon Hughes of Samson Law noted firstly that there was a mistake in the charge and weight of the drugs stated on the papers provided by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It appeared that there was a reference to ganja when it should have been a cannabinol derivative or controlled drug. In addition, the weight was stated as 134 grammes when the actual total was 42 milligrams broken down into 14 milligrams of THC and 28 milligrams of CBD.
After correcting the errors, Hughes noted that Williams travelled to the Cayman Islands from North Carolina with her husband.
Instead of focusing on her vacation, Hughes indicated that it was “dominated by an arrest for importation of drugs.”
Hughes added that Williams had never been arrested before and was terrified by the ordeal.
Hughes acknowledged that while the drugs are illegal in the Cayman Islands without a prescription, they appear to be “becoming more and more commonplace in the United States and certainly North Carolina.”
Regarding the drugs possessed by Williams, Hughes indicated that they were purchased online and available in stores.
Notwithstanding the legality overseas, Hughes said that Williams was genuinely remorseful and took full responsibility for bringing the drugs to the Cayman Islands, where they are illegal.
Having heard from crown and defence counsels, the Chief Magistrate observed that the cannabinol derivatives were “coming in fast and furious” to the Cayman Islands.
She added:
They’re also coming in in different forms. Not just gummies anymore, not vapes anymore and now, they’re tonic drinks.
It’s really concerning that we need to address this.
The chief magistrate then warned Williams that since the drugs she imported were a Class A drug, she could face significant time in prison.
The chief magistrate added that in the Cayman Islands, the law requires imprisonment except in extenuating circumstances.
After analysing the circumstances specific to Williams, the chief magistrate gave Williams an absolute discharge with no conviction recorded. However, Williams must pay a cost of $1,100 or serve 11 days in prison in default.
The drugs were ordered forfeited and destroyed.
