Update|British man held with cocaine in suitcase at Kingston airport pleads guilty, fined over $800,000
Published:Thursday | October 16, 2025 | 9:22 PM
The 24-year-old British man who was held with cocaine in his suitcase at the Norman Manley Airport in Kingston in August has pleaded guilty and has been fined over $800,000.
Isun Shaka Haywood, a delivery driver of a London address, was charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking steps preparatory to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine.
In the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court today, Haywood was fined $800,000 for possession and $14,000 for taking steps preparatory to export cocaine.
The charges of dealing in cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine were dismissed.
Haywood’s attorney, Odane Marston, told the court that his client has learned his lesson and is remorseful.
He also stated that his client pleaded guilty.
He added that Haywood has been in custody for some time and asked the court for him to be fined, noting that he has no connection to Jamaica.
The court had heard that at about 11:30 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025, Haywood arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport to board an outgoing flight to Toronto, Canada.
He was interviewed by the police, and his suitcase was subsequently searched, during which several rectangular packages containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine were found.
He was arrested on suspicion of breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The parcels, which weighed 10 pounds 6.21 ounces, were seized and taken to the government's forensic lab for analysis.
Tests revealed that the substance was cocaine.
He was subsequently charged following a question-and-answer session.
- Rasbert Turner
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