BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — A United States (US) citizen on her first visit to Barbados has promised “never” to find herself in the same position after she agreed to bring in a family friend’s suitcase but failed to check its contents, ultimately importing illegal drugs into the island.

Shakeena Lynette James appeared before acting Chief Magistrate, Deidre McKenna, where she was fined BDS$80,000 (One BDS$=US$0.50 cents) to be paid forthwith or jailed for 12 months.

The 40-year-old woman pleaded guilty to four drug-related offences, including the importation of cannabis valued at $ 176,000.

James of Massachusetts Avenue, Southwest Marietta in Georgia, was accused of possession, trafficking, possession with intent to supply, and importation of 24.2 pounds of cannabis.

The court heard that James arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport on board a Delta flight from Atlanta and after clearing immigration, she collected a hard-shell suitcase and proceeded to customs, where she was interviewed by the relevant authorities.

Her bag was searched, and 20 black vacuum-sealed packages were discovered containing vegetable matter. The police were contacted.

James told the court that a few days before boarding the flight, her deceased husband’s friend asked if she wanted to be a part of his entourage on his trip to Barbados, and she agreed.

He provided her with the flight information and other details. He took her to the airport and asked her to take his luggage with hers as he was flying in the following day. She went along with his request.

“I am guilty. I should have checked, and I apologise to the country of Barbados, ’cause this is not me,” James said.

Noting her age, the magistrate said, “How many TV shows are there where people get caught bringing in things and say that it is somebody else’s, whether it is true or not?”

“By now, everybody should know, you don’t bring things for people without checking to see what they are giving you to bring. A whole suitcase and you don’t know what is in it?…You should have said, ‘Unless you’re packing this suitcase in my presence or unless you are opening it in my presence, I am not taking it.’ You cannot trust anybody nowadays!” Magistrate McKenna stressed.

James was convicted on the charge of a trafficking offence and was reprimanded and discharged on the remaining charges.

“On your release, I am going to order that you be handed over to immigration. Please do not find yourself in this position again,” the magistrate said, to which the convicted woman replied, “Never,” thanking the court as she left the dock.