An east London woman who was duped into carrying £1 million worth of cocaine into the UK has been acquitted of drug importation at Croydon Crown Court. She was represented by Lalith de Kauwe.
The defendant, who was of low intelligence, claimed to have been set up when she agreed to go on holiday to Jamaica. On her return flight to Manchester she was given a suitcase to carry, which unbeknown to her contained 10 kg of cocaine disguised as tins of sweet potatoes. The drugs were found to have a street value of £1 million.
The nine-day trial involved a cut-throat defence with the co-defendant, who was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment.
Lalith was instructed by Ben Bansal at Imran Khan and Partners.
Lalith de Kauwe is a member of the Garden Court Crime Team.
