Working for a world where every person's right to a fair trial is respected, whatever their nationality, wherever they are accused

Paulette Garricks - Jamaica

“Growing up I’ve never been in any kind of trouble. I couldn’t therefore understand why I was treated like a criminal and was subjected to a horrible degrading ordeal. However Fair Trials International listened, didn’t doubt me and was always available for me.”
Paulette Garricks

Last updated: 03 August 2011

Young British woman detained due to airline error

In April 2009 Paulette Garricks on her return from a holiday to Jamaica was questioned by police at Kingston airport about a suitcase that had been checked in under her name, which was found to contain a large quantity of drugs in. The airline confirmed Paulette had only checked in one bag but she was detained overnight and charged with possession, intent and conspiracy to traffic drugs. Paulette was detained for a further three nights, throughout which she received no consular assistance, before being granted unconditional bail and allowed to return to the UK pending her trial in June 2009.

Thankfully, with Fair Trial’s intervention, the Jamaican prosecution were persuaded to drop all charges. Paulette is now seeking to take civil action against the airline and he Jamaican authorities.

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