Snake Owner Fined in Montego Bay After Police Seize Protected Reptile

MONTEGO BAY, St James — A St James man has slithered his way into legal trouble after being caught with a protected snake inside his home.

The accused, Ejavan Waite, stood before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a protected animal under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Reports are that police were tipped off after allegations surfaced that a snake was being used to frighten children in the community. Acting swiftly, lawmen went to Waite’s residence, where they found the reptile locked away inside a cage.

In court, Waite told Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton that he had no idea it was illegal to keep the animal, claiming he had been in possession of the snake for some time.

But ignorance was no excuse. Judge Fairclough-Hylton fined Waite $11,000 or 10 days’ imprisonment and issued a stern warning against any future breaches of the law.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, certain animals are classified as protected, making it illegal to possess, sell, or trade them without the proper permits. Snakes are among those protected species, recognized for both their ecological importance and potential danger if mishandled.

The ruling has sent ripples across Montego Bay, with residents saying the matter served as a reminder that wildlife is not for pets — and certainly not for terrorizing children.