Woman Granted $50,000 Bail for Attempting to Smuggle SIM Cards into Prison
July 10 2025
A 29-year-old woman from Albouystown, Georgetown, was on Wednesday granted $50,000 bail after being charged with introducing prohibited articles into the Camp Street Prison.
The accused, Shevaghn Samuels of Lot 11 Hogg Street, Albouystown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where she pleaded guilty with an explanation. Based on her account, the magistrate entered a not guilty plea on her behalf and granted her bail. The matter was adjourned to July 23.
The charge alleges that on Monday, July 8, at approximately 09:15 hrs, Samuels attempted to deliver a package to inmate Ray Smith during a scheduled drop-off. A search of the package revealed nine SIM cards concealed inside a tube of Colgate toothpaste—a method intended to evade security checks. Samuels was arrested on the spot and later handed over to the police.
In court, Samuels, a cleaner employed at St. Rose’s High School, claimed she was on her way to work when a woman she knows, identified as Shaneeza Smith, called and asked her to drop off a bag at the prison. She said she was unaware of the contents and believed it to be a harmless errand. Samuels said she was shocked to learn about the SIM cards and insisted she had no intention of smuggling anything illegal.
The mother of four also voiced concern about how the arrest might affect her job, stating she was unsure if she would still be employed, given the circumstances.
While recognizing the seriousness of the offence, Magistrate McGusty took into consideration Samuels’ explanation, her role as a caregiver, and the likelihood that she was unknowingly used. The magistrate advised her to provide the police with any information she could about the person who gave her the package and encouraged her to speak with her school’s headteacher regarding her employment status.
Following the incident, Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot issued a statement warning the public of the dangers and consequences of smuggling contraband into correctional facilities. He emphasized that such actions threaten the safety of both inmates and officers and compromise the integrity of the prison system.
