Model Gigi Hadid was arrested in the Cayman Islands for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The arrest reportedly took place on July 12. Hadid was traveling to the island for a vacation with her friend and fellow model Leah McCarthy. Authorities confirmed that Hadid purchased the marijuana legally in New York and carried a medical license for travel. Her representative confirmed the licensing information to Rolling Stone.
The model plead guilty and paid a $1,000 fine. Following the plea deal, the models were free to spend the rest of their time on the island. The paraphernalia mentioned by authorities was solely meant for the consumption of marijuana. While the substance is legal for medical practices in Grand Cayman, it remains illegal to bring it in from another country, hence the arrest was made.
The models later shared relaxing photos on Instagram following the kerfuffle.
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Social Media ReactionsÂ
Some felt that Hadid should have researched the customs of Grand Cayman before traveling with marijuana.
u guys really should research airports in other countries before traveling like
— adgy (@bagelluvr45) July 18, 2023
The drug is currently only legal for medicinal purposes in the Cayman Islands. Hadid did have a medical license for the drug, hence her eventual release. Some Twitter users continued to assert that the drug should be legalized for recreational use in the country.
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That’s not the point. The point is that marijuana shouldn’t even be illegal anymore anywhere. History has proven how many times our governments have lied about that drug and studies have showed what kind of drug it actually is.
— Rob/Bobert/Rick (@Rcknotrick) July 18, 2023
Others reacted with humor, as the arrest appeared to be a misunderstanding of customs laws.
her criminal era! pic.twitter.com/XhQu6wIdTV
— michael (@formallymichael) July 18, 2023
Elsewhere, some Twitter users brought up a potentially more serious issue. Hadid was in a long term relationship with musician Zayn Malik, formerly of One Direction, from 2015 to 2021. The couple share a daughter, Khai, who is now two years old. In 2021, Malik was involved in a domestic assault suit from Hadid’s mother Yolanda, who alleged that Zayn shoved her into a dresser while they fought about his daughter.
Malik recently appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and gave host Alex Cooper his first interview in six years. He additionally announced his return to music after a lengthy hiatus. The musician insists that he did not push Yolanda, and that he maintains partial custody of his daughter. After Hadid’s recent arrest, some fear that Malik will attempt to use the situation to regain full custody of Khai.
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zayn finna get 100% custody i'm crying
— ali 〄 (@aliswrlds) July 18, 2023
Others questioned how Yolanda Hadid would react. She previously appeared on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
Somebody check on Yolanda ???? pic.twitter.com/fo7WZZDZE9
— pole jam (@ordaneri) July 18, 2023
Malik is yet to comment on the arrest, and maintains a private life. Hadid has not commented further regarding the incident at this time, and neither have any of her other high-profile family members.
