Jamaica-born British woman held with cocaine at airport gets $350,000 bail

A Jamaica-born British woman accused of attempting to leave the island with cocaine concealed in powdered milk, which she was reportedly delivering for a friend, has been granted $350,000 bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Mitzie Graham, 53, a health care assistant, was on Wednesday offered bail by Parish Judge Carlo Mason.

Graham is charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, and taking steps to export cocaine.

As part of her bail, she must report to the August Town Police Station on Mondays and Fridays and her travel documents should remain at the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA). 

A stop order was also imposed.

According to the police, on January 17, about 5 p.m., the woman checked in at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston to board a flight destined for London.

During security screening, 4.8 kilogrammes of cocaine were reportedly discovered concealed in nine large packages of “Lasco” in her suitcase.

The cocaine is estimated to have a street value of US$144,000 or J$20,736,000.

Attorney-at-law Orville Morgan previously told the court that his client was the one who informed police officers that she was bringing home the milk product for her friend 'Munchie', who had reportedly asked her to collect them.

The woman reportedly told the police about the items after they enquired about the ownership of the contents in her luggage.

Following Graham's arrest, persons swooped down on Munchie's home in London, calling for her to hand herself over to the police.

Graham is scheduled to return to court on May 1.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.