Latest news with #BRIT


Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brit comedian facing 3 years in hellish Turkey prison for ‘shoplifting' after ‘accidentally' leaving Zara without paying
She was detained and accused of shoplifting in Istanbul NO LAUGHING MATTER Brit comedian facing 3 years in hellish Turkey prison for 'shoplifting' after 'accidentally' leaving Zara without paying Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT comedian faces up to three years in a Turkish prison after she forgot to pay at a Zara store. Cerys Nelmes, from Bristol, claims she absentmindedly wandered out of the shop with clothes before realising she hadn't paid. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Cerys Nelmes poses in undated photo Credit: Newsflash 5 Zara street shop in Istanbul Credit: Alamy 5 She was reportedly detained for shoplifting in Istanbul Credit: Newsflash She says she went back to the store in Istanbul to return the items and offered to pay. But despite this, she was detained and accused of shoplifting. Nelmes, who is a rising name in the Bristol comedy scene, took to social media to explain the incident. "On Tuesday I left a Zara store in Istanbul without paying for items," she said. "I returned straight away and handed the items to staff. I was asked to pay and I said I would and the manager accepted this. "To cut a long story short I was then taken to a locked room where hours later after no communication from anyone I was taken away by police and held in a police station and was asked to sign things I couldn't read. "I was put in a prison cell for 24 hours with no food or toilet facilities. "When I asked for water, I was told they didn't understand me." Nelmes was brought before a judge the next day, who permitted her release but barred her from leaving Turkey. She now faces a potential three-year prison sentence. Leaked footage shows terrifying power of new 'vacuum bomb' the GAZAP - one of the world's most destructive non-nuclear weapons The comedian is required to stay in the country while the incident is under investigation. She has appealed to the public for support in the wake of the incident, fearing she might lose her home back in Britain. The ongoing proceedings are leading to her losing work and income. Nelmes has been unable to afford accommodation in Turkey given she had only come for a short holiday but now finds herself banned from leaving. However, she was offered a place to stay by locals. She added: "I am ok and have been taken in by a Turkish family who have given me a bed and food. "I don't deserve all the kind words from people but I am very grateful." The British Embassy has confirmed it is offering support. It comes after a British tourist was dragged out of a holiday bar and beaten by staff after allegedly refusing to pay a £460 drinks bill. Footage from abar in Thailand's Chiang Mai city shows the holidaymaker being manhandled. The 26-year-old solo traveller was reportedly charged an inflated 20,000 baht - around £460 - for drinks at the Diamond Karaoke Bar. 5 Picture shows Cerys Nelmes Instagram story Credit: Newsflash


The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Laughing gas ‘epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred
BRIT tourists have been suffering seizures, foaming at the mouth and left permanently scarred after inhaling toxic drugs on the streets of Ibiza. Armed with industrial-sized canisters of nitrous oxide, determined dealers roam the infamous San Antonio party strip - targeting Brits as "easy prey". Advertisement 9 Tourists laden with balloons on the notorious San Antonio party strip Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Local businesses are fed up with the rampant use of balloons on the streets of Ibiza Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 A holidaymaker inhaling nitrous oxide - surrounded by empty balloons Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd But the Class C drug can cause a range of health issues - and in some cases can even be fatal. In the UK, the gas is most commonly sold in small canisters which deliver a single dose - enough to fill one balloon. But dealers in San Antonio are armed with huge canisters that pump out up to 80 hits - and come in boxes of six. At the going rate of five euros a balloon, the street value of a six-pack of canisters is around £2,000 - and they're strewn across the town. Advertisement Read more world news When The Sun visited the notorious strip, our reporter was hounded and followed down the street by dealers. Katie Mae, a bartender at Irish pub Shenanigans on the town's main strip, said laughing gas is 'the worst of them all'. The 21-year-old told The Sun: "I'll lecture anyone I see taking it - I've seen the worst things from laughing gas. 'I've seen young lads having seizures on the street and foaming at the mouths, but their friends are high so do nothing to help. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister, and it froze one side of her face. "It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life." After working on the strip for three seasons, Katie said: 'The consequences aren't talked about anywhere near enough. "People don't take it seriously as a drug - but it's one of the worst." Advertisement One British bar worker living in San Antonio told us she used to sell laughing gas here, but stopped after one of her customers 'nearly died'. The Brit said she got 'freaked out' when a young lad fell backwards and smashed his head on the road in the midst of a balloon high. She told us: 'I used to sell laughing gas for about a year-and-a-half because it was easy money . 'You'd sell each balloon for five euros and buy the canisters for cheap. There's loads of shops around here that sell them. Advertisement 'But as soon as that happened I stopped. It really freaked me out. 'And the gas is not good stuff - it freezes your insides.' Nitrous oxide - the facts NITROUS oxide - also known as laughing gas or hippy crack - was recently made a Class C due to the dangers associated with the drug. It can cause a range of health issues and in some cases can even be fatal. Some common side effects from inhaling the gas are Nitrous oxide can impair memory and thinking, the research mentioned. Some users might also feel According to the Inhaling directly from the canister or crackers - handheld devices used to 'crack' open canister - can cause frostbite on the nose, lips and throat, even the vocal cords. The icy chill of the gas canisters can also cause cold burns to the hands. Long term, heavy use of laughing gas can cause a lack of Lack of B12 can also cause damage to the spinal cord. In some cases, frequent and prolonged use of nitrous oxide has been linked to thromboembolic events - this means a blood clot has gotten stuck and caused an obstruction. The so-called laughing gas has also resulted in deaths. Another Brit staff member at the bar described the situation as an "epidemic". The streets around San Antonio's so-called West End, which includes the main strip and most of the bars, are littered with brightly-coloured rubber confetti. Advertisement Angelica Giraldo, a shopworker at Xanadu Supermarket near the strip, said the mess left behind by party-goers has ruined certain areas. She said: 'Lots of the tourists who come to San Antonio seem just to want to take drugs and to party rather than enjoy the island. 'I don't really see the other stuff - but the rubbish from the balloons is very clear. You see them all over the road, it's very ugly.' Angelica, 40, has lived in Ibiza all her life and noticed a sharp rise in laughing gas in recent years. Advertisement She said: 'It is everywhere now. And it causes lots of accidents. 'People take it while driving , but it makes them go crazy and they crash. This happens a lot.' Selling the gas for recreational use is illegal in Spain - but that doesn't stop a crew of drug dealers openly pushing it every night. 9 The streets in San Antonio are full of tourists inhaling nitrous oxide Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Advertisement 9 Dealers in San Antonio are armed with huge canisters that pump out up to 80 hits Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Nitrous oxide balloons litter the floor on the notorious party strip in San Antonio Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Walking around the West End, tourists are hounded constantly by - and see youngsters as an easy sell. The dealers loiter amongst the outdoor bar seating and persistently hassle drinkers to encourage them to buy balloons - and many do. Advertisement Bartender Katie claimed the dealers have an app to alert each other if police are patrolling a certain area. On one occasion, The Sun saw Civil Guards officers walking down the strip with a confiscated canister, and another cop was seen searching a young man for drugs. The Sun approached cops on the street - but they all refused to talk about the issue. While laughing gas is the most obvious drug in San Antonio due to the brightly-coloured balloons, almost any party drug you can think of is readily available. Advertisement 9 Tourists inhale laughing gas on benches in San Antonio Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Finished balloons litter the street on the notorious party strip Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Angelica Giraldo, a shopworker at Xanadu Supermarket near the strip, said the mess left behind by party-goers has ruined certain areas Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Walking along the sea-front, dealers call out "hey, dude, yo, what do you need?' to almost every passerby. Advertisement Anything other than a stern refusal sees them opening up a pouch stuffed full of drugs, and flashing you bags of coloured powders or pills. Ricardo, who runs Jungle Bistró Ibiza in the old town district with his wife, said he is glad that most of the anti-social behaviour is limited to San Antonio's West End. And he said it is 'easy' for the dealers to sell to young Brits. The restaurant manager said: 'A lot of them are British, they come to San Antonio just for the parties. Advertisement 'It is easy to sell to them. I don't want any of that over in this part of town. We mainly have families around here' San Antonio Town Council said: "The process is also underway to incorporate ten new officers into the Local Police force, increasing its staff from 59 to 69. "This will ensure a more effective service tailored to the municipality's current needs. "A new position of intrusion and community coexistence officer has also been created, and a private security service will be put out to tender with the aim of reducing vandalism and uncivil behaviour in selected areas. Advertisement "The City Council is fully aware that these are only the first steps in a broader transformation process and that there is still a long way to go. "Therefore, it remains steadfast in its commitment to continue working to build a better Sant Antoni for everyone, supporting a tourism model that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and coexistence."


Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Laughing gas ‘epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRIT tourists have been suffering seizures, foaming at the mouth and left permanently scarred after inhaling toxic drugs on the streets of Ibiza. Armed with industrial-sized canisters of nitrous oxide, determined dealers roam the infamous San Antonio party strip - targeting Brits as "easy prey". 9 Tourists laden with balloons on the notorious San Antonio party strip Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Local businesses are fed up with the rampant use of balloons on the streets of Ibiza Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 A holidaymaker inhaling nitrous oxide - surrounded by empty balloons Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd But the Class C drug can cause a range of health issues - and in some cases can even be fatal. In the UK, the gas is most commonly sold in small canisters which deliver a single dose - enough to fill one balloon. But dealers in San Antonio are armed with huge canisters that pump out up to 80 hits - and come in boxes of six. At the going rate of five euros a balloon, the street value of a six-pack of canisters is around £2,000 - and they're strewn across the town. When The Sun visited the notorious strip, our reporter was hounded and followed down the street by dealers. Katie Mae, a bartender at Irish pub Shenanigans on the town's main strip, said laughing gas is 'the worst of them all'. The 21-year-old told The Sun: "I'll lecture anyone I see taking it - I've seen the worst things from laughing gas. 'I've seen young lads having seizures on the street and foaming at the mouths, but their friends are high so do nothing to help. 'One girl I saw inhaled gas straight from the canister, and it froze one side of her face. "It was all cut up and she would have been scarred for life." After working on the strip for three seasons, Katie said: 'The consequences aren't talked about anywhere near enough. "People don't take it seriously as a drug - but it's one of the worst." One British bar worker living in San Antonio told us she used to sell laughing gas here, but stopped after one of her customers 'nearly died'. The Brit said she got 'freaked out' when a young lad fell backwards and smashed his head on the road in the midst of a balloon high. She told us: 'I used to sell laughing gas for about a year-and-a-half because it was easy money. 'You'd sell each balloon for five euros and buy the canisters for cheap. There's loads of shops around here that sell them. 'But as soon as that happened I stopped. It really freaked me out. 'And the gas is not good stuff - it freezes your insides.' Nitrous oxide - the facts NITROUS oxide - also known as laughing gas or hippy crack - was recently made a Class C due to the dangers associated with the drug. It can cause a range of health issues and in some cases can even be fatal. Some common side effects from inhaling the gas are dizziness, nausea, disorientation, loss of balance and weakness in legs, according to a study on its risks published to the National Library of Medicine. Nitrous oxide can impair memory and thinking, the research mentioned. Some users might also feel anxious or paranoid. According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), the gas from nitrous oxide bulbs is intensely cold, sometimes as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Inhaling directly from the canister or crackers - handheld devices used to 'crack' open canister - can cause frostbite on the nose, lips and throat, even the vocal cords. The icy chill of the gas canisters can also cause cold burns to the hands. Long term, heavy use of laughing gas can cause a lack of vitamin B12. Severe deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. Lack of B12 can also cause damage to the spinal cord. In some cases, frequent and prolonged use of nitrous oxide has been linked to thromboembolic events - this means a blood clot has gotten stuck and caused an obstruction. The so-called laughing gas has also resulted in deaths. Another Brit staff member at the bar described the situation as an "epidemic". The streets around San Antonio's so-called West End, which includes the main strip and most of the bars, are littered with brightly-coloured rubber confetti. Angelica Giraldo, a shopworker at Xanadu Supermarket near the strip, said the mess left behind by party-goers has ruined certain areas. She said: 'Lots of the tourists who come to San Antonio seem just to want to take drugs and to party rather than enjoy the island. 'I don't really see the other stuff - but the rubbish from the balloons is very clear. You see them all over the road, it's very ugly.' Angelica, 40, has lived in Ibiza all her life and noticed a sharp rise in laughing gas in recent years. She said: 'It is everywhere now. And it causes lots of accidents. 'People take it while driving, but it makes them go crazy and they crash. This happens a lot.' Selling the gas for recreational use is illegal in Spain - but that doesn't stop a crew of drug dealers openly pushing it every night. 9 The streets in San Antonio are full of tourists inhaling nitrous oxide Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Dealers in San Antonio are armed with huge canisters that pump out up to 80 hits Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Nitrous oxide balloons litter the floor on the notorious party strip in San Antonio Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Walking around the West End, tourists are hounded constantly by - and see youngsters as an easy sell. The dealers loiter amongst the outdoor bar seating and persistently hassle drinkers to encourage them to buy balloons - and many do. Bartender Katie claimed the dealers have an app to alert each other if police are patrolling a certain area. On one occasion, The Sun saw Civil Guards officers walking down the strip with a confiscated canister, and another cop was seen searching a young man for drugs. The Sun approached cops on the street - but they all refused to talk about the issue. While laughing gas is the most obvious drug in San Antonio due to the brightly-coloured balloons, almost any party drug you can think of is readily available. 9 Tourists inhale laughing gas on benches in San Antonio Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Finished balloons litter the street on the notorious party strip Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9 Angelica Giraldo, a shopworker at Xanadu Supermarket near the strip, said the mess left behind by party-goers has ruined certain areas Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Walking along the sea-front, dealers call out "hey, dude, yo, what do you need?' to almost every passerby. Anything other than a stern refusal sees them opening up a pouch stuffed full of drugs, and flashing you bags of coloured powders or pills. Ricardo, who runs Jungle Bistró Ibiza in the old town district with his wife, said he is glad that most of the anti-social behaviour is limited to San Antonio's West End. And he said it is 'easy' for the dealers to sell to young Brits. The restaurant manager said: 'A lot of them are British, they come to San Antonio just for the parties. 'It is easy to sell to them. I don't want any of that over in this part of town. We mainly have families around here' San Antonio Town Council said: "The process is also underway to incorporate ten new officers into the Local Police force, increasing its staff from 59 to 69. "This will ensure a more effective service tailored to the municipality's current needs. "A new position of intrusion and community coexistence officer has also been created, and a private security service will be put out to tender with the aim of reducing vandalism and uncivil behaviour in selected areas. "The City Council is fully aware that these are only the first steps in a broader transformation process and that there is still a long way to go. "Therefore, it remains steadfast in its commitment to continue working to build a better Sant Antoni for everyone, supporting a tourism model that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and coexistence."


Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit tourists' terror as rampaging mum ELEPHANT protecting baby charges at boat & nearly sinks it in croc-infested river
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRIT tourists were left horrified after a raging elephant protecting its baby charged their boat and nearly sank it in a crocodile-infested river. Terrified passengers on the river safari tour were left fearing for their lives after the close encounter with the huge beast in Botswana. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Brit tourists were left horrified after a raging elephant protecting its baby charged their boat Credit: Wildfriends African/Facebook 5 The mammal nearly sank the tourist boat in a crocodile-infested river Credit: Wildfriends Africa/Facebook 5 The close encounter occurred after the tour guide appeared to mock the beast Credit: Wildfriends African/Facebook The harrowing ordeal unfolded in the Okavango Delta, when the boat's captain mockingly bantered with the behemoth mammal. As the elephant closed the gap the guide turned around confidently and said: 'When she comes close we are going to zoom forward'. He then appeared to clap his hands while smiling and suggested that the group could let the elephant come close before speeding away. While the mum elephant let out frightening cries, the tour guide said jokingly: "Yes, we can hear you." read more world news SAFARI HORROR Brit tourist and her pal 'killed by rampaging elephant' during walking safari But moments later, he was heard yelling in a panic as the beast got uncomfortably close to their small vessel. The engine reportedly cut out just as the elephant came within reach of the boat of Brit tourists. A loud thud was heard as the elephant violently rammed into the back of the boat - momentarily throwing it into the air. The tourists fell off their benches and dropped their cameras as the front of the boat headed straight after taking the weight of the five-ton female and its two ivory tusks. It nearly capsized before the crew were all seen in complete shock. The elephant was also heard roaring again during its intimidating assault. Safari Tragedy: Millionaire Game Reserve Boss Killed by Elephant in South Africa Luckily, the flimsy craft slammed back down onto the river just seconds later. The river is known to be infested with crocodiles and hippos. The infuriated elephant went on to slam her tusks into the boat three more times. In the frightening footage, one tourist can be heard shouting: "Oh no!" Meanwhile, another fearful holidaymaker says: "Holy s**t." After failing to capsize the boat, the elephant appeared to turn away. One shocked tourist said: 'Was that meant to happen?' And someone replied sternly straight after: "No." It is not known which company took the tourists out but reportedly nobody was injured. The Facebook post on Wildfriends Africa has clocked up 30,000 views since it was taken in June in the Okavango Delta - reportedly one of Prince Harry's favourite places in the world. The charging elephant weighed five tons and stood 11ft tall. Elephants, which are some of world's largest mammals, kill an estimated 500 people every year in Africa. It comes after the owner of one of South Africa's top game reserves was horrifically trampled to death as he tried to move elephants away from tourist lodges. Chief Executive Officer FC Conradie who co-owns the exclusive Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was suddenly charged at by the huge mammal. The 39-year-old millionaire was reportedly mauled by a six-ton African elephant. It is said to have attacked him with its tusks then stamped on him repeatedly. The horror left shocked rangers unable to save him in yesterday's 8am attack. FC Conradie was said by staff to have a "love for elephants and nature" and would often go out to photograph them. His wife of 10 years La-ida, 33, is said to be 'inconsolable' at his passing. 5 Chief Executive Officer FC Conradie who co-owns the exclusive Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was charged at by a huge elephant


The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit mum arrested with son, 6, over ‘£1.6m drug smuggling plot in Mauritius' facing A YEAR in hellhole jail before trial
A BRIT mum-of-two accused of trying to smuggle £1.6million of drugs into Mauritius inside her son's suitcase is reportedly being held in an infamously hellish prison. Natashia Artug, 35, allegedly stuffed 24 packages of cannabis weighing 14kg 8 Natashia Artug has been arrested in Mauritius Credit: Facebook 8 She has been held along with her partner Florian Credit: Facebook 8 The mum faces more than a year at the Beau Bassin Central Prison She now faces being stuck inside the womens' section of the nightmarish Beau Bassin Central Prison for over a year while she awaits trial, the The notorious slammer known for its "filthy" conditions and harsh It houses The jail reportedly has a "lack of hygiene, sanitation, and basic medical care", according to a damming US State Department report in 2014. READ MORE WORLD NEWS The report also noted that prisons in Mauritius did not always meet international standards, and that Natashia, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was arrested alongside six Brits and her Romanian boyfriend accused of trying to smuggle a total of 161kg into the tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Her six-year-old son was picked up by customs officials when the group landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport from London Gatwick last month. The boy was initially held by Mauritian cops but has since been released and is now back in the UK with his dad. Most read in The Sun Natashia is said to be "vulnerable" and claims she was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by drug traffickers who threatened her family. Her case is being treated with particular seriousness after Brit 'drug mules' avoid death penalty over £300k plot in Bali as court reveals short sentence due to 'polite behaviour' Nonprofit group Justice Abroad said she did not know the bags contained cannabis. Natashia was initially held with her son in the headquarters of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit in Mauritius so they could be together. But she has since been sent to the infamous Beau Bassin Central Prison after her son's dad flew over, picked him up and brought him back home. Over half of the women in the hellhole jail are said to be foreign - and most of them are serving sentences or on remand for drug offences. Drug convictions in Mauritius can result in a mammoth 45-year jail sentence. The 2014 US report also said: "Given the lack of administrative remedies, inmates' relatives sometimes turned to private radio stations to denounce hygiene conditions or other problems." The report didn't specify whether the harsh conditions also relate to the womens' sections of prisons or just the much larger mens' cells. A Russian woman whose sister was being held at Beau Bassin Central Prison on drug charges slammed the prison's conditions on social media. She said: "Sometime I can communicate with [her sister], and she always complains on conditions of imprisonment. "She doesn't have normal access to medicines, clean drinking water. Sanitary conditions are terrible. 8 The womens' section houses around 135 inmates 8 Natashia is said to be 'vulnerable' and claims she was coerced Credit: Facebook The woman added in her post to Reddit: "She often hears verbal harassment and threats, sounds like 'You'll die here'. Abuse on racial prejudice. "Most of the time the prisoners are in the prison yard under the scorching sun. Foreign prisoners are not allowed to wear hats." The Switzerland-based Association for the Prevention of Torture also highlighted conditions for women inmates in Mauritius in a report last year. It called for more kitchen facilities and the addition of psychiatrists to provide mental health care. The UK Government website also describes prison conditions in Mauritius. The website reads: "Imprisonment is generally in small cells with a number of other detainees. "Mauritius is one of the rare countries where time out of cell is from 6.15am to 5pm. Prison officials will normally speak English to British prisoners." It adds: "Many other detainees can also speak English although most of them will speak in the local language (Creole). "While in detention, detainees can have access to the prison library where English books are available. The government also claims that all prisons on the island "are Human Rights standards compliant". Since her imprisonment, Natashia has launched a crowdfunder appealing for £5,000 to fight the serious charges. 8 Florian Lisman, 38 from Romania was also arrested and accused of carrying 32 bags of drugs Credit: Facebook 8 Natashia was accused of smuggling drugs in her son's wheelie case Credit: Facebook.. Natashia's partner Florian Lisman, 38 from The other Brits arrested included Laura Kappen, 28, a bar worker from Orton Goldhay, Cambs, Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Cambs, Shona Campbell, 33, a cleaner from Standground, Cambs, Lily Watson, a caterer from Peterborough, Cambs, and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, also from Peterborough. Each suspect was travelling on the British Airways flight from Gatwick with an Apple AirTag which is used to track an item's location. Justice Abroad claim these were used by a trafficking gang to keep tabs on the group's movements with the drugs shipment. Authorities on Mauritius branded the They added: "This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years." The drugs cache was found during a joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the airport. Justice Abroad said Natashia suffers from fibromyalgia and is currently attending university. They added: "This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. "She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation." The shocking arrests come amid a spate of Brits accused of drug smuggling around the world. Georgia . The 19-year-old from Billingham, County Durham , She says she was coerced by a brutal trafficking gang who allegedly burned her with an iron and Bella claims she was duped into transporting the drugs by the Thailand-based gang – but prosecutors argue In Sri Lanka, The 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, denies the allegations but was reportedly caught with 46kg of the substance packed into her suitcases. If convicted, she could be handed a 25-year prison sentence in a country known for its tough anti-drug stance. 8 The mum-of-two was arrested with one of her sons Credit: Facebook