WESTERN BUREAU:
Kay-Ann Anderson, the British woman who has been on trial for allegedly trying to smuggle one kilogram of cocaine inside a box of Tastee patties on May 10, 2023, is maintaining her innocence ahead of her trial’s scheduled verdict on December 6.
Anderson, 47, who has been on trial for possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine, tearfully gave an unsworn statement from the prisoner’s dock on Friday, where she told trial judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce that she did not know the substance was in the box at the time it was in her possession, and that she has never dealt in drugs.
“I have never been in trouble with the law before, neither here nor in England. I only handled the box when I moved it from the table into my hand-luggage, which was approximately right beside me at home… . I was in a rush to catch my flight and did not take any note of the weight [of the box], and I also assumed that because of the box it was in, that it was patties,” said Anderson, wiping her eyes in-between sentences.
“I did not separately handle the box in any other way other than what I told you. The box was not opened, as it was in a wrapping, and it was not obvious to me that there was anything else in the box other than patties. It was not wilful blindness,” Anderson continued. “I have no reason to deal with drugs. I am gainfully employed, and my job is my pride and joy. I am innocent, your honour, as I did not know it was cocaine in the package.”
Anderson also laid blame upon Lekan Olamida, her former co-defendant and the father of her child, who was arrested and charged alongside her. Olamida was released from his charges following a no-case submission on July 26 this year.
“I honestly did not know the father of my child would have done this to me. Often, I would take things from England for him at his request, and he would reimburse me, and he would also give me things to take back for his friends, things that are unique to Jamaica like rum, mangoes, and patties,” Anderson explained. “The evidence was given that I was calm and cooperated with the police. I cooperated with the police because I knew it was my son’s dad who had done this to me, and I gave them his name.”
Following Anderson’s unsworn statement, her attorney Peter Champagnie called a character witness who described the defendant as kind, loyal, and honest. However, under cross-examination from the prosecution, the witness admitted that she could not speak to Anderson’s conduct outside of Jamaica.
Grant-Pryce subsequently extended Anderson’s bail to December 6, when the verdict will be formally handed down.
The allegations are that, on May 10, 2023, Anderson checked in at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, and was preparing to board a flight to Birmingham, England. During routine checks, the cocaine, valued at $7.72 million, was found in her luggage.
Anderson was one of eight persons, including seven British nationals, who were arrested on separate occasions in May 2023 for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act after trying to smuggle cocaine through the Sangster International Airport on to flights destined for England.
