logo
#

Latest news with #LouisaDeMarco

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed
Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

Scottish Sun

time6 days ago

  • Scottish Sun

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

She went in with her 'eyes wide open', a judge slammed CRIMINAL MUM Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming 'it's only tobacco' is jailed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DRUG-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before telling officers "it's only tobacco" has been jailed. Former Asda manager, Louisa De Marco, was promised £10,000 if she could successfully transport the drugs through Manchester Airport. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Louisa De Marco was stopped at Manchester Airport on May 8 Credit: MEN Media 2 The former Asda manager was offered £10,000 to carry the cannabis Credit: Facebook The 53-year-old had her flights to Thailand paid for, to pick up the cannabis, Manchester Crown Court heard. However, upon her return to the UK on May 8, Border Force officials discovered the secret stash spread across two suitcases. De Marco originally tried to deny the luggage was hers and that she had packed them. The drug smuggler even tried to convince cops they only contained tobacco. Prosecuting, Chloe Fordham, told the court how De Marco's suitcases were in fact stuffed with 31.25 kilos of cannabis. De Marco broke down under police interview and revealed she had met someone in Thailand who offered her money to transport the drugs. She claimed criminals involved with the organisation paid for herself, and a friend, to fly out to Thailand. They were also offered £10,000 - although the mum never received this cash. Defending, Bradley Mather, told the court how De Marco was struggling with "financial difficulties" when she accepted the dodgy deal. She earnt around £40,000 as an Asda manager, but lost her job after the pandemic. Brit thugs forced 'drug mule' Bella May Culley to watch man be beheaded…and told her 'we'll do that to you', lawyer says At the time she smuggled the cannabis, the 53-year-old had been declared unfit to work due to physical and mental health reasons. Mr Mather also argued there had been a degree of "intimidation" from the criminal network who planned the operation. De Marco claimed they had threatened to cancel her flights back to the UK if she backed out - which would have left the mum stranded. Recorder Sarah Griffin, sentenced the former Asda manager to 20 months behind bars. She added how De Marco entered into the deal with her "eyes wide open" and "knew exactly" what she was doing. De Marco, of Broadway, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. The sentence comes amid a spate of similar drug mule cases - with around 13 Brits currently kept in hellhole jails abroad. Three Brits are facing the death penalty in Bali accused of trafficking more than £300,000 worth of cocaine onto the island. A Brit couple were charged with smuggling £1million of cannabis from Thailand a mere few days ago. While several young women have been arrested trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand. In the last couple of months, glam tourist Bella Culley allegedly tried to smuggle a suitcase of weed into Georgia and was locked away in a brutal ex-Soviet prison despite claiming to be pregnant. And former air stewardess Charlotte May Lee was then caught allegedly trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.2million into Sri Lanka. Young mum, Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. Separately, two drug-smuggling pals were caught with 35kg of cannabis at the airport after a "shopping trip" to New York. And Isabella Daggett, 21, was arrested just five weeks after she relocated to Dubai from Yorkshire after landing a new job. The Brit woman is rotting inside Dubai's hellhole prison on alleged drug charges fell in with "wrong people at the wrong time", her family has said. Glamorous Sophie Bannister and Levi-April Whalley landed back on UK soil with their suitcases seemingly packed full of shopping. The pair, both 30, were stopped at Birmingham International Airport with more than 35kg of cannabis in their bags. Bannister, now of Cotton Lane, Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months suspended for 18 months, with 30 days rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work. Whalley, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for 18 months, with 10 days rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed
Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

The Irish Sun

time6 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

A DRUG-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before telling officers "it's only tobacco" has been jailed. Former Asda manager, Louisa De Marco, was promised £10,000 if she could successfully transport the drugs through Manchester Airport. 2 Louisa De Marco was stopped at Manchester Airport on May 8 Credit: MEN Media 2 The former Asda manager was offered £10,000 to carry the cannabis Credit: Facebook The 53-year-old had her flights to Thailand paid for, to pick up the cannabis, Manchester Crown Court heard. However, upon her return to the UK on May 8, Border Force officials discovered the secret stash spread across two suitcases. De Marco originally tried to deny the luggage was hers and that she had packed them. The drug smuggler even tried to convince cops they only contained tobacco. Read More Prosecuting, Chloe Fordham, told the court how De Marco's suitcases were in fact stuffed with 31.25 kilos of cannabis. De Marco broke down under police interview and revealed she had met someone in Thailand who offered her money to transport the drugs. She claimed criminals involved with the organisation paid for herself, and a friend, to fly out to Thailand. They were also offered £10,000 - although the mum never received this cash. Most read in The Sun Defending, Bradley Mather, told the court how De Marco was struggling with "financial difficulties" when she accepted the dodgy deal. She earnt around £40,000 as an Asda manager, but lost her job after the pandemic. Brit thugs forced 'drug mule' Bella May Culley to watch man be beheaded…and told her 'we'll do that to you', lawyer says At the time she smuggled the cannabis, the 53-year-old had been declared unfit to work due to physical and mental health reasons. Mr Mather also argued there had been a degree of "intimidation" from the criminal network who planned the operation. De Marco claimed they had threatened to cancel her flights back to the UK if she backed out - which would have left the mum stranded. Recorder Sarah Griffin, sentenced the former Asda manager to 20 months behind bars. She added how De Marco entered into the deal with her "eyes wide open" and "knew exactly" what she was doing. De Marco, of Broadway, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. The sentence comes amid a spate of similar drug mule cases - with around 13 Brits currently kept in hellhole jails abroad. Three Brits are A Brit couple were While several young women have been arrested trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand. In the last couple of months, And former air stewardess Young mum, Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. Separately, two And Isabella Daggett, 21, was The Brit woman is Glamorous Sophie Bannister and Levi-April Whalley landed back on UK soil with their suitcases seemingly packed full of shopping. The pair, both 30, were stopped at Bannister, now of Cotton Lane, Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months suspended for 18 months, with 30 days rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work. Whalley, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for 18 months, with 10 days rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work. Why Brit backpackers are prime targets, Thai cop reveal By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Musikim, Deputy Inspector of the Surat Thani province police force, said: 'Cases involving British nationals smuggling cannabis have been around for a while. 'There is a lot of cannabis grown on Thailand's islands in the south because the climate is suitable and it is legal. A lot of gangs are attracted to this. 'There are now various smuggling methods that we have seen. Some carry it themselves, some hire backpackers, and some send it via mail. 'This year, there have been many cases we have intercepted. Most involve British and Malaysian nationals. 'It's easy for British citizens to travel as they can enter Thailand and return to the UK without needing a visa. 'Most of the smugglers are people hired to carry the cannabis, similar to how tourists might smuggle tax-free goods. 'They're usually unemployed individuals from the UK. The gangs offer them flights, pocket money and hotel stays, just to come and travel and take a bag back home with them. 'These people often have poor social standing at home and are looking for ways to earn quick money. They find them through friends or on social media. 'Many will go to festivals or parties while they are here, just like they are having a normal trip abroad. 'They are told that it is easy and they will not be caught. Then the amount the organisers can sell the cannabis for in the UK is much higher than it costs in Thailand. 'Police suspect that there are multiple employers and groups receiving the drugs on the other end. The cannabis then enters the UK market. 'We are being vigilant to ensure there are no routes out of the country.'

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed
Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

The Sun

time6 days ago

  • The Sun

Drug-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before claiming ‘it's only tobacco' is jailed

A DRUG-smuggling mum who carried 30kg of cannabis in her suitcase before telling officers "it's only tobacco" has been jailed. Former Asda manager, Louisa De Marco, was promised £10,000 if she could successfully transport the drugs through Manchester Airport. The 53-year-old had her flights to Thailand paid for, to pick up the cannabis, Manchester Crown Court heard. However, upon her return to the UK on May 8, Border Force officials discovered the secret stash spread across two suitcases. De Marco originally tried to deny the luggage was hers and that she had packed them. The drug smuggler even tried to convince cops they only contained tobacco. Prosecuting, Chloe Fordham, told the court how De Marco's suitcases were in fact stuffed with 31.25 kilos of cannabis. De Marco broke down under police interview and revealed she had met someone in Thailand who offered her money to transport the drugs. She claimed criminals involved with the organisation paid for herself, and a friend, to fly out to Thailand. They were also offered £10,000 - although the mum never received this cash. Defending, Bradley Mather, told the court how De Marco was struggling with "financial difficulties" when she accepted the dodgy deal. She earnt around £40,000 as an Asda manager, but lost her job after the pandemic. Brit thugs forced 'drug mule' Bella May Culley to watch man be beheaded…and told her 'we'll do that to you', lawyer says At the time she smuggled the cannabis, the 53-year-old had been declared unfit to work due to physical and mental health reasons. Mr Mather also argued there had been a degree of "intimidation" from the criminal network who planned the operation. De Marco claimed they had threatened to cancel her flights back to the UK if she backed out - which would have left the mum stranded. Recorder Sarah Griffin, sentenced the former Asda manager to 20 months behind bars. She added how De Marco entered into the deal with her "eyes wide open" and "knew exactly" what she was doing. De Marco, of Broadway, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug. The sentence comes amid a spate of similar drug mule cases - with around 13 Brits currently kept in hellhole jails abroad. Three Brits are facing the death penalty in Bali accused of trafficking more than £300,000 worth of cocaine onto the island. A Brit couple were charged with smuggling £1million of cannabis from Thailand a mere few days ago. While several young women have been arrested trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand. In the last couple of months, glam tourist Bella Culley allegedly tried to smuggle a suitcase of weed into Georgia and was locked away in a brutal ex-Soviet prison despite claiming to be pregnant. And former air stewardess Charlotte May Lee was then caught allegedly trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.2million into Sri Lanka. Young mum, Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. Separately, two drug-smuggling pals were caught with 35kg of cannabis at the airport after a "shopping trip" to New York. And Isabella Daggett, 21, was arrested just five weeks after she relocated to Dubai from Yorkshire after landing a new job. The Brit woman is rotting inside Dubai's hellhole prison on alleged drug charges fell in with "wrong people at the wrong time", her family has said. Glamorous Sophie Bannister and Levi-April Whalley landed back on UK soil with their suitcases seemingly packed full of shopping. The pair, both 30, were stopped at Birmingham International Airport with more than 35kg of cannabis in their bags. Bannister, now of Cotton Lane, Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months suspended for 18 months, with 30 days rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work. Whalley, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for 18 months, with 10 days rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work. Why Brit backpackers are prime targets, Thai cop reveal By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Musikim, Deputy Inspector of the Surat Thani province police force, said: 'Cases involving British nationals smuggling cannabis have been around for a while. 'There is a lot of cannabis grown on Thailand's islands in the south because the climate is suitable and it is legal. A lot of gangs are attracted to this. 'There are now various smuggling methods that we have seen. Some carry it themselves, some hire backpackers, and some send it via mail. 'This year, there have been many cases we have intercepted. Most involve British and Malaysian nationals. 'It's easy for British citizens to travel as they can enter Thailand and return to the UK without needing a visa. 'Most of the smugglers are people hired to carry the cannabis, similar to how tourists might smuggle tax-free goods. 'They're usually unemployed individuals from the UK. The gangs offer them flights, pocket money and hotel stays, just to come and travel and take a bag back home with them. 'These people often have poor social standing at home and are looking for ways to earn quick money. They find them through friends or on social media. 'Many will go to festivals or parties while they are here, just like they are having a normal trip abroad. 'They are told that it is easy and they will not be caught. Then the amount the organisers can sell the cannabis for in the UK is much higher than it costs in Thailand. 'Police suspect that there are multiple employers and groups receiving the drugs on the other end. The cannabis then enters the UK market. 'We are being vigilant to ensure there are no routes out of the country.'

Ex-Asda manager caught at Manchester airport smuggling 30 kilos of cannabis into UK from Thailand for £10,000 is jailed
Ex-Asda manager caught at Manchester airport smuggling 30 kilos of cannabis into UK from Thailand for £10,000 is jailed

Daily Mail​

time05-07-2025

  • Daily Mail​

Ex-Asda manager caught at Manchester airport smuggling 30 kilos of cannabis into UK from Thailand for £10,000 is jailed

A former Asda manager who was caught smuggling 30 kilograms of cannabis into the UK from Thailand has been jailed. Louisa De Marco, 53, was promised £10,000 if she was able to bring the drugs successfully into the country at Manchester Airport. But her attempt failed and she was detained on her arrival back on home soil on May 8. Border Force officers grabbed two suitcases from the carousel which the mother denied were hers, Chloe Fordham, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court. De Marco also denied packing them, telling cops that she was convinced they had tobacco in them, the Manchester Evening News reports. They actually had 31.25kg of the class B drug and, after the defendant pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug, Judge Sarah Griffin handed her a prison sentence of 20 months, adding she would spend half of it behind bars. During a police interview, De Marco admitted she had met someone who told her there was money to be made smuggling cannabis into Britain, while on a previous visit to Thailand. She was then put in contact with another person who paid for her and her friend's flights to the Asian country before being offered £10,000 to bring the drugs into the UK. But the former Asda manager never received the cash amid what her barrister Bradley Mather described as 'financial difficulties' after losing her £40,000-a-year job following the Covid pandemic. De Marco also refused to hand over her phone's PIN number to police. The court heard that the defendant had also been ruled unfit to work since the incident, thanks to physical and mental health difficulties. She has also been receiving benefits. Mr Mather also claimed there had been some 'intimidation' from the handlers who had organised De Marco's smuggling mission, threatening to cancel her flight back to the UK if she didn't go through with it. He asked for the judge to spare the mother jail time, arguing that she had strong mitigation while also pointing out the potential effect it might have on her adult daughter who relies on her to afford rent at their house. But Judge Griffin said that De Marco had headed out to Thailand with her 'eyes wide open', making the case particularly serious.

Ex-Asda manager jailed as judge warns 'you knew exactly what you were doing'
Ex-Asda manager jailed as judge warns 'you knew exactly what you were doing'

Daily Mirror

time05-07-2025

  • Daily Mirror

Ex-Asda manager jailed as judge warns 'you knew exactly what you were doing'

Ex-Asda manager Louisa De Marco, 53, was stopped at Manchester Airport and found with over 30kg of cannabis in her suitcases A former Asda manager was thrown into prison after she entered into a criminal scheme and was told she knew "exactly what you were involving yourself in". Louisa De Marco, 53, tried to smuggle over 30kg of cannabis into the UK through Manchester Airport but was caught. The 53-year-old said she had her flights to Thailand already paid for and was told she would get £10,000 if she was successfully able to bring the illegal drugs into the UK, Manchester Crown Court heard. ‌ De Marco was stopped by customs officials and initially denied the bags were hers, denied she packed them and claimed she believed they contained tobacco. ‌ Prosecuting, Chloe Fordham said that De Marco, a mother, was stopped by Border Force officers at Manchester Airport after arriving on May 8, on a flight from Thailand via Abu Dhabi. Her two suitcases were found to have 31.25kg of cannabis inside, according to Manchester Evening News. During an interview with police, De Marco said that on a previous trip to Thailand, she had met someone who told her she could make money by bringing cannabis into the UK. The mum said she was put in touch with other people who paid for a flight to Thailand for her and her friend. De Marco said she was also offered £10,000, which she did not ultimately receive and she also refused to tell police the PIN number for her phone. Defending, Bradley Mather said the defendant was experiencing 'financial difficulties' at the time. She had previously worked in a "management role" at Asda earning around £40,000 a year, but lost her job after the Covid pandemic, he said. The mum has since been unable to work and had been receiving benefits, due to physical and mental difficulties. Mather added there had also been an element of "intimidation" from her handlers who had arranged the smuggling bid. He told the court they threatened to cancel her flights home if she refused to comply with their smuggling demands. ‌ He appealed for De Marco to be spared jail, arguing she had strong mitigation and noting the potential impact on her adult daughter, who relies on her mother to help pay the rent at their home. Judge Recorder Sarah Griffin instead sentenced the mum to 20 months in prison and said she would serve half of the term behind bars. The judge said the case was serious and slammed De Marco saying she had flown out to Thailand with her "eyes wide open". She added: "You knew exactly what you were involving yourself in." De Marco, of Broadway, Bradford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store