KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct 17, CMC – A 24-year-old British national, who was detained after cocaine weighing more than 10 pounds was found in his suitcase at the Norman Manley Airport in August, has been fined J$814,000 (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents).
Attorney Odane Marston told the court that his client, Isun Shaka Haywood, a delivery driver from London, was remorseful and had pleaded guilty to the offence of possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking steps preparatory to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine.
He said his client has been in custody for some time and asked the court for him to be fined, noting that he has no connection to Jamaica.
When he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday, Haywood was fined J$800,000 for possession and J$14,000 for taking steps preparatory to export cocaine.
The charges of dealing in cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine were dismissed.
Haywood was arrested on August 4 after he arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport to board an outgoing flight to Toronto, Canada.
But when his suitcase searched several rectangular packages containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine were found. The parcels, which weighed 10 pounds 6.21 ounces, were seized and taken to the government’s forensic lab for analysis.
CMC/ag/ir/2025