KINGSTON, Jamaica — A British national who is facing multiple cocaine charges was offered bail when she appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Defence counsel for Charlene Cave told the court that the 41-year-old woman had no idea that cocaine was in her possession when she attempted to leave Jamaica via the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) on December 8th 2025.

Cave is charged with conspiracy to export cocaine, dealing in cocaine, possession of cocaine and attempting to export cocaine after being found with seven pounds and 10.4 ounces of the drug.

The crown indicated that while at NMIA, Cave was noticed by a policeman who described her in his statement as appearing nervous, prompting a search.

When her luggage was searched, lawmen found Johnny cake mix, soup mix and three pairs of slippers which were all found to be concealing a white powdery substance.

Field tests were conducted and came back positive.

Under caution the accused said, “Really, really officer I know nothing about this.”

Cave reportedly told lawmen the bag had been packed for her by a friend, Tiffany, who asked her to deliver it to her daughter.

When officers reportedly asked her if the items appeared to have been tampered with, she said, “No officer, Tiffany brought them to me from Friday.”

She also answered affirmatively when asked whether she had packed her luggage herself.

However, her attorney said the accused would be challenging the evidence, citing knowledge.

The attorney indicated Cave had come to the country to celebrate a friend’s birthday on a girl’s trip of sorts.

He pointed to what he described as her high level of cooperation with the police, indicating that she didn’t try to flee and answered all questions when they were asked.

The attorney noted that she told the police, “Yes sir, do your work,” when they indicated they would like to search her luggage.

Cave has reportedly traveled to Jamaica on multiple occasions, at least once a year for nine years and has two children whose father is Jamaican.

She was granted $5 million bail, ordered to surrender her travel documents and a stop order placed on her at all ports of entry.

She will also have to live at a residence listed on file for the duration of the case, report to a police station three times a week and be under curfew at nights.

Cave returns to court on May 12.

— Dana Malcolm