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18/09/2008
'Cocaine In Wigs' Women Sentenced
Two British women who were arrested after cocaine was bizarrely found concealed under their wigs have been sentenced to one year's detention in prison by a Jamaican judge.
Tanisha Samuel, 20, and Shereen Mariah Hardy, 17, from Derby were held at Montego Bay airport, as they attempted to board a London-bound plane.
They were found to be in possession of cocaine weighing 5lbs with a value of around £170,000, which was stitched to the underside of the long dark wig they were wearing.
The accused were also ordered to pay a fine of £139,000 each, or face an additional six months in prison after they pleaded guilty to three charges of possession, dealing and export.
Judge Winsome Henry said: "This is a very serious offence, but because of your age and because you have no previous convictions, I am going to be lenient."
HM Revenue and Customs also deemed the women "naïve" for attempting to smuggle the drugs, in light of new tighter airport checks.
Bob Grainger, HMRC spokesman said: "Anyone attempting to smuggle drugs from Jamaica like this shouldn’t be so naïve to think that they can get away with it.
"If convicted, they will be jailed and serve out their term in a prison in Jamaica."
The arrests were part of Operation Airbridge, which is joint UK/Jamaican collaboration to catch drugs couriers before they board planes from Jamaica.
It was launched in June 2002 by both British and Jamaican governments to catch drugs 'mules' before they board planes from Jamaica.
(JM)
Tanisha Samuel, 20, and Shereen Mariah Hardy, 17, from Derby were held at Montego Bay airport, as they attempted to board a London-bound plane.
They were found to be in possession of cocaine weighing 5lbs with a value of around £170,000, which was stitched to the underside of the long dark wig they were wearing.
The accused were also ordered to pay a fine of £139,000 each, or face an additional six months in prison after they pleaded guilty to three charges of possession, dealing and export.
Judge Winsome Henry said: "This is a very serious offence, but because of your age and because you have no previous convictions, I am going to be lenient."
HM Revenue and Customs also deemed the women "naïve" for attempting to smuggle the drugs, in light of new tighter airport checks.
Bob Grainger, HMRC spokesman said: "Anyone attempting to smuggle drugs from Jamaica like this shouldn’t be so naïve to think that they can get away with it.
"If convicted, they will be jailed and serve out their term in a prison in Jamaica."
The arrests were part of Operation Airbridge, which is joint UK/Jamaican collaboration to catch drugs couriers before they board planes from Jamaica.
It was launched in June 2002 by both British and Jamaican governments to catch drugs 'mules' before they board planes from Jamaica.
(JM)
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17 September 2008
Women Charged After Cocaine 'Found In Wigs'
Two British women who were arrested after cocaine was allegedly found in the wigs they were wearing as they attempted to board a London-bound plane at a Jamaica airport, have been charged. The cocaine, weighing 5lbs with a value of around £170,000, was apparently stitched into the wigs Tanisha Samuel, 20, and Shereen Mariah Hardy, 17, were wearing.
Women Charged After Cocaine 'Found In Wigs'
Two British women who were arrested after cocaine was allegedly found in the wigs they were wearing as they attempted to board a London-bound plane at a Jamaica airport, have been charged. The cocaine, weighing 5lbs with a value of around £170,000, was apparently stitched into the wigs Tanisha Samuel, 20, and Shereen Mariah Hardy, 17, were wearing.
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