Influencer caught trying to smuggle £150,000 worth of cannabis back to UK
A Scottish beauty influencer faces time behind bars after being caught with 17kg of cannabis in her luggage.
Ellie Crampsie pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this month (26 March) after customs officers found several sealed packages of the Class B drug inside her suitcase.
The 23-year-old, who had flown to Edinburgh from Thailand via Paris last April, was stopped by Border Force after arriving back in the UK.
"She was asked the usual questions by the officer, and she confirmed she had travelled from Thailand," Prosecutor Emma Lain told the court, per MailOnline.
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"Her luggage was opened, and a number of vacuum packages were within."
The court was then told that a total of 17 sealed packages were uncovered, estimated to have a street value between £115,000 and £151,000.
Glasgow-based Crampsie, who owns beauty business Brows by Ellie, could now face jail time for her actions.
Her defence lawyer noted that Crampsie is currently single and has 'the benefit of the support of her parents, who have attended court today'.
He added that Crampsie's previous criminal offending was 'unremarkable in the context of this offence' and requested her bail be continued.
Sheriff Graeme Watson has adjourned Crampsie's sentencing in order to gather further information, telling the court: "I’m going to adjourn sentencing in this case to allow the court to obtain a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment.
‘In the meantime, I am going to continue your bail conditions. That should be no prejudgment of what comes next," he continued, adding: "All sentencing options will be open to me on the next occasion, do you understand that?"
What are the penalties for bringing drugs into the UK?
Under UK law, a charge of being concerned in the supply of drugs involves engaging in any activity related to illegal drug production, which includes transportation, storing and management of a controlled substance.
According to McGee Law, sentencing options for being concerned in the supply of drugs, Class B, vary, with penalties including a fine and/or prison sentence.
A custodial sentence can range from six months to a maximum of 14 years, depending on the extent of a person's involvement and previous criminal history.
Crampsie's case comes months after a young mother was spared prison after smuggling £285,000 of cannabis into the UK.
Young mother Poppie Kudiersky was handed a suspended sentence after she told police that she had only agreed to smuggle the drugs after her family and five-year-old son were threatened, via Metro.
The 22-year-old was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, as well as ordered by a judge to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
Brenna Cooper