A 19-year-old pregnant woman has been spared jail after being caught attempting to smuggle over 22 kilograms of cannabis into the UK, citing extreme housing challenges as the reason behind her actions.
Daniella Kankam-Adu, a London resident, was stopped by Border Force officials at Newcastle Airport on March 3 after arriving on a flight from Toronto. She initially claimed she was carrying vaping products for a £250 fee, but a search of her suitcase revealed cannabis valued at £225,000 on the street.
Authorities reported that Kankam-Adu became uncooperative when asked to open her luggage, leading officers to forcibly access the bags. Inside, they found 22.5kg of cannabis, with a wholesale value estimated at £67,500.
During her appearance at Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors stated that although she claimed not to know the suitcase contained drugs, she admitted to being suspicious due to its heavy weight. She ultimately pleaded guilty to attempting to evade a prohibition on drug importation.
Her defence lawyer, Glenn Gatland, described her as a vulnerable young woman who had grown up in the care system. Recently discovering she was pregnant, Kankam-Adu was under significant pressure to find stable housing. A friend had allegedly offered the smuggling job as a quick way to make money.
While on remand, Kankam-Adu spent three months in custody and sadly suffered a miscarriage. Her lawyer emphasized the emotional impact of her experience, suggesting it served as a powerful deterrent against future wrongdoing.
Taking into account her background, time already served, and the personal hardships she endured, the court decided not to impose further jail time.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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