KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 62-year-old woman who was accused of smuggling ganja into the Horizon Adult Remand Centre was admonished and discharged with a formal verdict of not guilty when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Allegations are that on May 7, 2025, Patricia Richards was visiting the remand centre to deliver items to her son, who is incarcerated. The items were reportedly searched, including a pair of shoes. A correctional officer allegedly detected the scent of ganja, prompting a further search of the shoes’ insoles, where nine parcels of vegetable matter resembling ganja were discovered.

Richards was subsequently taken to a police station and charged with introducing prohibited substances into a penal institution.

When asked to enter a plea on Tuesday, Richards responded “guilty with explanation”, stating that a woman had approached her on her way to the facility and asked her to deliver the package to a relative, claiming she was on her way to work and could not make the visit herself.

However, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell was unconvinced by the explanation.

“Everybody comes here and tells me that it is somebody [else], and I’ve lived in Jamaica for less time than you have — I know that you must not trust Jamaicans. You don’t carry things for them. From the time you’re born, they tell you: don’t carry things for people. If you’re travelling on a plane, you don’t carry things for others. And if you’re entering a prison, obviously you can’t take something from someone to bring into a cell.

“And here’s the problem: the police could smell the weed, so the assumption is that you could smell it too,” Judge Burrell said.

“You’re too mature and experienced to be doing something as foolish as bringing contraband into a prison — whether on your own behalf or someone else’s. However, you cut it, you are guilty,” she added, noting that such an offence could attract a fine of up to $3 million.

The mother of two wept openly, insisting that she was telling the truth. “I am sorry, Your Honour. I throw myself at your feet — I am very sorry,” she said.

After making enquiries about her employment history and family background, Judge Burrell admonished and discharged Richards. She warned that if she were to appear before her again, she would be punished to the full extent of the law.

“Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, mighty God. Hallelujah, Jesus,” a grateful Richards exclaimed as she left the courtroom.

— Vanassa McKenzie