A mother in her twenties who tried to transport cannabis worth £285,000 from Thailand to the United Kingdom has avoided a jail term by revealing the frightening threats she faced from drug traffickers.
The 22-year-old, Poppie Kudiersky, disclosed that traffickers threatened to harm her five-year-old son if she did not agree to smuggle drugs. Initially, Kudiersky consented to travel to Thailand to assist in a credit card scheme but was coerced into carrying cannabis after receiving threats and being shown pictures of criminals near her home in Denton, Greater Manchester.
Upon arriving at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on February 2, 2024, Kudiersky and her companion, Mohammed Jacfer, 26, were apprehended by customs officers with two suitcases containing 57 packages of cannabis.
Prosecutor Mr. Philip Hall stated that both individuals were in possession of multiple suitcases and were acting suspiciously. Kudiersky was identified as the owner of the suitcases containing the drugs, leading to their seizure by customs officials.
During investigations, it was revealed that Kudiersky had images of herself enjoying a holiday in Thailand on social media. Reports indicated that the incidence of airline passengers caught smuggling cannabis into the UK has surged by 3,625% in the past two years.
In sentencing, Judge Hilary Manley mandated Kudiersky to undergo rehabilitation activities for 15 days and perform 150 hours of community service. The judge emphasized the seriousness of drug importation crimes and the need for deterrent sentences to combat the rising trend.