British woman to get new lawyer ahead of cocaine trial
Published:Friday | January 17, 2025 | 12:07 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
British national Rachael Quayle, who was allegedly caught with cocaine valued at J$45 million stashed in assorted food items at the Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, St James, last August, is expected to have a new lawyer when she returns to court on January 20.
Quayle was expected to start her trial for possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, but the matter was rescheduled after the defendant, who was formerly represented by attorney Precilla Jennings, told presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce that she is currently seeking the services of lawyer Henry McCurdy.
“I am in the process of procuring Mr Henry McCurdy,” Quayle told Grant-Pryce briefly when asked about her legal representation.
“So, today you do not have a lawyer, ma’am?” asked Grant-Pryce, to which Quayle answered, “No.”
The judge then told the clerk of the court that, “[Quayle] says she has not yet paid Mr McCurdy, and therefore he is not yet her attorney.”
The court was also told that the forensic certificate regarding the alleged contraband stated that it was approximately 17 pounds of cocaine, despite previous reports indicating that it was 21 pounds.
Grant-Pryce subsequently set the case for mention on January 20 in order for the court to hear from McCurdy about his representation of Quayle. The matter will remain on the trial list until that time.
The allegations against Quayle are that, on August 21, 2024, she checked in at the Sangster International Airport and was preparing to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK) when her luggage was searched.
During the inspection, several food items in Quayle’s luggage were searched and found to contain cocaine weighing 21 pounds. When questioned, Quayle said she was given the items and did not think anything was amiss as the packages were sealed, and she was subsequently arrested and charged.
Quayle is one of 27 foreign nationals who were arrested at the airport between January and September 2024 for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act. That number, which was revealed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, included mostly visitors from the UK.
Cocaine cases involving both foreigners and locals have featured prominently on the St James Parish Court’s list of cases over the years, to the extent that concerns have been raised about St James becoming a focal point for drug trafficking. In May 2023 alone, eight defendants, seven of whom were British nationals, were brought before the St James court in relation to a combined $100 million worth of cocaine.