American pleads guilty to cocaine charges

A 30-year-old American woman pleaded guilty to drug charges in the St James Parish Court last week.

Erena Washington, a sales associate of North West, Washington D.C., was held with 2.3 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Sangster International Airport on December 4, 2023, when she attempted to board a flight to New York about 12:45 p.m.

During security checks , the illicit drug, with an estimated street value of more than $11 million was found concealed on her body. She was arrested and charged for possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine.

She pleaded guilty when she appeared before the court and was fined: $400,000 or six months' imprisonment for possession of cocaine and $300,000 or six months' imprisonment for attempting to export cocaine. She must serve a mandatory six months imprisonment.