Woman Jailed For Smuggling Cocaine Into Australia

A woman who was caught trying to smuggle 30kg of cocaine into Sydney has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Canadian Isabelle Lagace, 29, admitted to smuggling the drugs on a cruise, saying she did it to clear a $20,000 debt.

Lagace arrived in Sydney on the Sea Princess in August last year, after boarding he ship in England and travelling to a number of destinations, including Ireland, the US and Colombia.

She was caught by Australian Border Force officials when a suitcase containing 30kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth up to £12 million ($16m/AUD$20.5m), was found in her shared cabin.

Isabelle Lagace pleaded guilty. Credit: Facebook

When pleading guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, but said she had been given an ultimatum by an unnamed person over a $20,000 debt, saying that she had been threatened and was told the debt would be wiped if she was willing to give a bag to another passenger to be filled with the drugs.

In court last week, Lagace's lawyer said she took full responsibility for her actions.

Judge Kate Triall said 'there many choices open to her to pay the debt', noting that Lagace was working, had an apartment and a 'support network' around her at the time.

Isabelle Lagace (right). Credit: Facebook

She also said that Lagace's claims of being threatened were 'vague and imprecise' saying she was 'evasive' when asked to elaborate.

However, she added that Lagace had a good chance of rehabilitiaon. She sentenced her to seven and a half years, but after the non-parole period was backdated to the date she was arrested it's likely she will be out after serving four and a half years, in February 2021.

Legace, who used to work as in the adult film industry, said: "I have embarrassed my family, my friends, myself.

"It pains me to know that my defining years of womanhood will be spent in prison halfway around the world.

Credit: Australian Border Force

"This will haunt me for the rest of my life."

Two other Canadians, Melina Roberge, 22, and Andre Tamine, 63, have also been charged. They have both pleaded not guilty and will face a trail.

Sources: BBC; MailOnline

Featured Image Credit: Instagram

Topics: World News, News, Australia

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19