American drug mule caught at UK Airport with 28 kilos of cannabis in ‘life-changing' gamble
Chelsea Blanton has been jailed after being caught at a UK Airport.
An American drug mule was apprehended at a UK Airport with 28 kilos of cannabis in a 'risky gamble' for a 'life-changing' sum.
Chelsea Blanton, 29, was stopped by Border Force officers on May 7 this year after having travelled from Texas to Saudi Arabia to Malaysia before heading to Manchester via Heathrow.
Officers found 15 vacuum sealed packages of cannabis in her two suitcases at Manchester Airport, reports the Manchester Evening News. Their wholesale value was £80,000, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Blanton would later tell a court that she had been offered the 'life-changing' amount of $8,500.
Jailing her, Judge Tom Gilbart said: 'You took a gamble, it didn't pay off. You now have to pay the consequences.'
The court heard when she was arrested at Manchester Airport, Blanton made a 'false claim' regarding her visit to the UK. She later admitted drug smuggling when confronted with the cannabis.
'Speaking to the probation service, you confirmed you did this to make money. You took a risk, you said you would be paid $8,500,' the judge said.
'There is no suggestion of intimidation or coercion. There was a degree of naivety on your part.'
The court heard she had no previous conviction in the United Kingdom, but had admitted to the probation service that she was imprisoned for assault in the United States.
Blanton expressed remorse, and said in mitigation that she had suffered trauma following the violent death of her father. She also said she had been the victim of domestic violence in the past, the judge continued.
He said: 'I accept you had genuine personal, health and financial difficulties. You have a good work ethic and have worked two jobs to support your family.
'You have a 12-year-old child, he must pay the consequences for the decisions you have made.
'You described this opportunity as life changing, and I accept you would have received significant financial gain.'
Blanton, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 17 months, of which she will serve half in prison before she will be liable to deportation back to the United States.
'Given you committed this crime having left your son with your mother, it can't be a proper or fair reason to step back from custody,' Judge Gilbart added.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
We're also on Facebook - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Expand grooming gangs inquiry to Scotland, UK Government urged
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a probe after initially ruling the move out, while a review published on Monday suggested officials had dodged the issue of race in grooming gangs over fears of appearing racist. Available data showed offenders were disproportionately Asian men. On Tuesday, shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie urged Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to expand the remit of the inquiry. In a letter to the minister, Mr Bowie welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, which he described as 'long overdue'. He added: 'However, I write to urge you to ensure that this inquiry is truly national in scope – and that it is extended to include Scotland. 'Victims of grooming gangs in Scotland must not and cannot be overlooked.' There is 'clear evidence' grooming gangs have been in operation in Scotland, the MP said, as he called for either the extension or for the UK Government to work with ministers in Scotland to set up their own inquiry. He added: 'Victims in Scotland deserve the same recognition, and opportunity for justice. Excluding Scotland from the inquiry risks creating a two-tier system of justice. 'I urge you to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that this inquiry can extend its remit to include relevant cases in Scotland, or to support the establishment of a parallel inquiry with equivalent powers and independence. 'Once again, I urge you to ensure thorough and effective implementation for victims across the United Kingdom by extending the scope to include Scotland.' Mr Bowie's calls come as Labour MP Joani Reid urged the Scottish Government to set up its own inquiry. Speaking to the Daily Record, the East Kilbride and Strathaven MP said: 'If the Scottish Government does not intend to hold its own dedicated inquiry, we need clear reasons why – not the vague responses we've had so far. 'This issue is too serious and urgent to leave unanswered. 'I hope the First Minister recognises how important it is to act swiftly to safeguard young people. 'We cannot allow bureaucracy or complacency to put children at further risk.' Speaking to journalists on Monday, First Minister John Swinney said: 'The Prime Minister has obviously taken his own decision on grooming gangs. 'We established some years ago the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, which has got extensive scope and ability to explore many or all of these issues. 'There will, of course, be other processes of inquiry that are undertaken when that's appropriate. 'I would give every consideration to an issue of this type if I felt it was necessary to be undertaken and obviously we will do that in the fullness of time.' The Home Office has been asked for comment.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Three arrests after masked robbers raid van on estate
Three arrests after masked robbers raid van on estate Three men from Bristol have been arrested on suspicion of robbery Caswell Way in the Reevesland industrial estate in Newport (Image: Google ) Police have made three arrests in connection to a robbery in which four masked men broke into a van on a Newport industrial estate. A Gwent Police spokesperson said: "We recently appealed for information to trace the movements of a car following a report of a robbery near Caswell Way in the Reevesland industrial estate in Newport on Monday, June 2. Four people believed to be involved have been identified. Three men, aged 33, 34, and 38, from Bristol, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and have since been released on police bail." In its original appeal the force said four masked men arrived at the estate in a blue Audi S3 before robbing a van. The Audi was later found abandoned in nearby Lysaght Village. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here. CCTV image of the blue Audi S3 (Image: Gwent Police ) Article continues below "All four men wore face coverings and were dressed all in black – black trousers, hooded tops, and trainers," said a police spokesperson. They added: "Enquiries are still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to submit via the Major Incident Public Portal." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
Expand grooming gangs inquiry to Scotland, UK Government urged
The UK Government should expand the grooming gangs scandal inquiry to cover Scotland, the shadow Scottish secretary has said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a probe after initially ruling the move out, while a review published on Monday suggested officials had dodged the issue of race in grooming gangs over fears of appearing racist. Available data showed offenders were disproportionately Asian men. On Tuesday, shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie urged home secretary Yvette Cooper to expand the remit of the inquiry. In a letter to the minister, Bowie welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, which he described as 'long overdue'. He added: 'However, I write to urge you to ensure that this inquiry is truly national in scope – and that it is extended to include Scotland. 'Victims of grooming gangs in Scotland must not and cannot be overlooked.' There is 'clear evidence' grooming gangs have been in operation in Scotland, the MP said, as he called for either the extension or for the UK Government to work with ministers in Scotland to set up their own inquiry. He added: 'Victims in Scotland deserve the same recognition, and opportunity for justice. Excluding Scotland from the inquiry risks creating a two-tier system of justice. 'I urge you to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that this inquiry can extend its remit to include relevant cases in Scotland, or to support the establishment of a parallel inquiry with equivalent powers and independence. 'Once again, I urge you to ensure thorough and effective implementation for victims across the United Kingdom by extending the scope to include Scotland.' Bowie's calls come as Labour MP Joani Reid urged the Scottish Government to set up its own inquiry. Speaking to the Daily Record, the East Kilbride and Strathaven MP said: 'If the Scottish Government does not intend to hold its own dedicated inquiry, we need clear reasons why – not the vague responses we've had so far. 'This issue is too serious and urgent to leave unanswered. 'I hope the First Minister recognises how important it is to act swiftly to safeguard young people. 'We cannot allow bureaucracy or complacency to put children at further risk.' Speaking to journalists on Monday, First Minister John Swinney said: 'The Prime Minister has obviously taken his own decision on grooming gangs. 'We established some years ago the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, which has got extensive scope and ability to explore many or all of these issues. 'There will, of course, be other processes of inquiry that are undertaken when that's appropriate. 'I would give every consideration to an issue of this type if I felt it was necessary to be undertaken and obviously we will do that in the fullness of time.' The Home Office has been asked for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
