Pregnant American – By Latrishka Thomas
Pregnant American Woman Caught
A four-months pregnant American woman of Antiguan parentage is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a cannabis possession charge stemming from her departure from VC Bird International Airport on Wednesday.
Keishell Labeach, 40, was preparing to depart the island after visiting family in Antigua when airport security at the oversized baggage area alerted uniformed officers to a concern. When police arrived, they discovered two transparent bags, three capsules, and two Ziploc bags of cannabis among her belongings. The substance weighed 163.4 grams and was valued at $1,634.
Labeach made no attempt to deny ownership. “I smoke marijuana and it belongs to me,” she told officers. “I was involved in an argument at home and I placed the marijuana at the top of my clothing in my suitcase.”
When she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel yesterday, her attorney Wendel Alexander offered further context telling the court his client had simply forgotten the cannabis was in her suitcase and had no intention of travelling with it. He asked for a fine to be imposed instead of a custodial sentence.
He also drew the court’s attention to the fact that Labeach is four months pregnant and has Antiguan parentage.
Her station bail of $2,500, with no cash component and two sureties, was confirmed. Her passport remains surrendered. She returns to court for sentencing on Monday.
