Alric Lindsay 
By Alric Lindsay
A woman who arrived in Grand Cayman recently was given a six-month conditional discharge in the Summary Court before Magistrate McFarlane today, August 17, 2026, after she admitted importing a controlled drug — a vape pen containing THC — through Owen Roberts International Airport.
The court heard that Ms Coulter, a United States citizen, works as a senior retail manager in the clothing industry. She pled guilty to a single charge of importing a controlled drug on August 10, namely a cannabinol derivative in the form of one vape pen containing Delta-9-THC and Delta-8-THC, weighing less than two ounces, without lawful authority.
The Crown’s case
Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that, upon arrival at the Owen Roberts International Airport, Coulter was referred for a secondary check from the “nothing to declare” channel. On her customs declaration card she had answered “no” to carrying cannabis, hemp or other derivatives, controlled drugs, prescribed medicine or other prohibited or restricted goods. When questioned, she said she had a vape pen, but did not know what was in it. She was cautioned and arrested at 12:50pm, and a drug-analysis certificate later confirmed the device contained THC.
In interview, Coulter reportedly said the item was legal in New York, that she had been unaware of the law in the Cayman Islands. She added that she used it recreationally, and that she had packed her own bag.
The defence
Her attorney, Ms. Ryan, said that as Coulter reached for her passport at immigration she realised the vape pen was in her handbag and began to have a panic attack. The court was told that she self-medicates for anxiety and uses the device as an aid.
Coulter’s attorney added that she is a frequent traveller and that the small handbag — kept inside a larger bag — is “never unpacked,” so she had not checked it before travelling. The attorney added that Coulter is 35, has one child, and was described as a person of good character who had already changed her flights twice to deal with the matter.
The magistrate’s remarks
Magistrate McFarlane noted that the declaration card was “dishonest on its face,” but accepted Coulter’s apology and that she had made “a massive mistake, an error in judgment.”
After giving Coulter full credit for her guilty plea, Magistrate McFarlane imposed a conditional discharge: provided she commits no further offence in the Cayman Islands for a period of six months, with no conviction to be recorded. The vape pen was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.
Magistrate McFarlane ordered Coulter to pay $540.75 for the cost of the drug analysis certficate, which Coulter must settle before leaving the jurisdiction. She was told of her right to appeal.
