Late submission of documents delays British woman’s cocaine trial
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:20 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The trial of Brandi James, a British national who was reportedly caught with 16 pounds of cocaine at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on August 6, 2024, has been postponed to March 20 due to the late submission of documents to her lawyer.
James, a 28-year-old data operator from London, England, was given the new court date and had her bail extended when she appeared in the St James Parish Court on Monday.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that although James’ case was on the trial list for Monday, several crucial documents were not served to her lawyer, Henry McCurdy, on time. These included the forensic certificate, a chain-of-custody statement, and a notice of intention to tender the relevant documents into evidence.
In response, presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce stated that due to the late submission of these documents, the trial could not commence for at least another month.
“You are supposed to be served the notice of intention and the forensic certificate one month before the trial. Given the current circumstances, this matter must be set 30 days hence,” Grant-Pryce told McCurdy before scheduling March 20 as James’ next court date.
Under Sections 31.E and 31.F of the Evidence Act, any party in a hearing intending to tender a statement into evidence must notify all other parties in the proceedings at least 21 days before the hearing.
It is worth noting that when James’ case was previously mentioned on November 25, 2024, the prosecution was ordered to provide McCurdy with all relevant documents by or before December 11. No explanation was given on Monday regarding the delay in submitting the documents.
According to allegations, on August 6, 2024, James checked in at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London. During a routine security screening, four packages of a white substance, later identified as cocaine, were discovered inside two false compartments in her suitcase.
James was taken into custody and interviewed in the presence of her attorney, following which she was formally charged with breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
James was among 27 foreign nationals arrested and charged with various drug-related offences between January and September 2024, according to statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.