Canadian Drug Accused Complains of Bed Bugs at His Majesty’s Prison

A Canadian man on remand at His Majesty’s Prison for allegedly importing over $200,000 worth of cannabis into Antigua and Barbuda used his court appearance on Wednesday to raise an unexpected concern, he is being bitten by bed bugs and wants to be moved to a different cell.

Semand Vivan Shammo Aljndo, 23, has been held at the prison since March after the court deemed him a flight risk following his arrest at V.C. Bird International Airport. When his case came up before the court on Wednesday, he seized the moment to address the presiding judge directly about his living conditions. He was told to raise the matter with his attorney, Michael Archibald.

Aljndo faces five charges arising from his arrest on Saturday, March 21st, 2026, when officers from the Narcotics Department, the K-9 Unit and the Customs Enforcement Unit stopped him at V.C. Bird International Airport at approximately 4 p.m. He had arrived earlier that day aboard Air Canada flight AC1832 from Toronto.

A search of a silver suitcase reportedly belonging to Aljndo uncovered 26 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, with an estimated street value of EC $208,000. He was taken into custody and transported to Police Headquarters.

He now faces charges of possession of 26 pounds of cannabis, possession with intent to transfer, importation of cannabis, drug trafficking, and being concerned with the supply of cannabis.

His case which is being fast tracked has been adjourned until June 15th for committal as the prosecutors told the court today that the file is still with the vetting unit.