British woman convicted for trying to smuggle cocaine fined J$3 million
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:35 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Kay-Ann Anderson, the British national who was caught trying to smuggle over one kilogramme of cocaine out of the island, via the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, St James, escaped jail time, but was fined $3 million in the St James Parish Court on Friday.
Anderson, 47, who was found guilty on December 13, 2024 of possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine, after the drug was found inside a patty box she had in her possession, maintained a composed expression as presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce handed down the sentence.
During the sentencing hearing, Anderson’s attorney Peter Champagnie urged Grant-Pryce to examine the mitigating factors in his client’s favour, including the fact that her social enquiry report testified positively to her character.
“Before you is a 47-year-old lady who, from all accounts, has been very industrious in terms of her life, so I would ask you to take that into account. She has no previous convictions recorded against her name … and the report itself is actually a very impressive report, as it speaks very well of her, her history, her involvement with her family, and her work relations,” said Champagnie.
“The report concludes by saying that, as a reported first-time offender, she is not beyond redemption and her risk of reoffending appears low. If the court is inclined, she could be ordered to pay a fine and be subjected to a suspended sentence,” Champagnie continued. “This would achieve the dual purpose of holding her accountable for her actions while allowing her to remain a contributing member of society.”
In handing down the sentence, Grant-Pryce chided Anderson for not being vigilant about checking what was in the patty-box where the cocaine was found, referencing Anderson’s trial testimony that she did not find anything out of the ordinary about the box at the time.
“This is one of those cases where proper diligence ought to have been taken. Your lack of diligence and paying attention to detail is [why you are] where you are at,” said Grant-Pryce. “A pack of patties, plus three pounds (1.3 kilogrammes) of cocaine, should have been something significant to you.”
Anderson was ordered to pay $1.5 million or serve nine months in prison for possession of cocaine, and $1.5 million or nine months for attempting to export cocaine. She was admonished and discharged for dealing in cocaine.
The facts are that, on May 10, 2023, Anderson checked in at Sangster International Airport was preparing to board a flight to Birmingham, England. During routine checks, the cocaine, valued at $7.72 million, was found in her luggage.
During her trial, Anderson maintained her innocence and lack of knowledge of the substance while laying blame on her former co-defendant and the father of her child, Lekan Olamida, for her predicament. Olamida was released from his charges following a no-case submission on his behalf on July 26, 2024.