Jailed for Contraband: Student's $200,000 Cannabis Bust at Airport

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A law student is confronting a long prison term following her arrest for trying to smuggling £150,000 worth of drugs through. Edinburgh Airport.

Sage-Ahliea Gold was discovered with over 35 pounds of herbal cannabis in her suitcase upon arrival at the capital's airport in August of last year.

Gold, who is presently enrolled in law studies at the University of Greenwich, reportedly broke down into tears when faced with border force officers after her belongings were searched.

The 25-year-old, from East Dulwich, London was taken into custody and faced charges, subsequently appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where she admitted guilt to the offense today. (TUE)

Jennifer McLaren, the deputy fiscal, informed the court that Gold traveled to Scotland’s capital city following his arrival from John F Kennedy International Airport in New York on August 11 of last year.

Ms. McLaren stated that all the baggage from the flight was undergoing inspection, and during this process, a suitcase containing several parcels was detected.

Gold was subsequently seen ‘uplifting the case and attending at the nothing to declare exit’ where she was pulled aside by security officials.

The court was told: ‘Ms Gold was then stopped and she answered some standard questions and said she had travelled from New York and had packed her bag.

‘She unlocked the case and officers observed a number of personal possessions and vacuum packed packages that appeared to contain herbal material.

‘Ms Gold at this point was cautioned and told she did not need to provide information other than her name, date of birth and nationality.

'She remained silent, placed her hand over her face, and started weeping.'

The prosecutor said there were 30 vacuum sealed packages found in the suitcase containing a total of 16.14 kilograms of cannabis with a value of £61,332.

The court heard that if the drugs were packaged into 'half-kilogram batches,' their worth would amount to £75,000. However, dividing them into individual grams would increase their total value to £150,000.

Lawyer Charles Morrison, who is representing the defendant, stated that he will postpone presenting his arguments for leniency until the sentencing hearing.

Sheriff Charles Walls stated: "You have now been found guilty of the offense concerning drug importation, specifically a substantial quantity of cannabis."

'This clearly constitutes a grave offense involving significant drug activity; therefore, I must give this thorough deliberation.'

Gold was freed from custody after posting bail, with sentencing delayed until the following month pending review of community service reports.

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