Woman caught with £110k worth of cannabis at Glasgow Airport facing jail term

Alisha Penney's route to Glasgow Airport caused Border Force cops concern which resulted in her being questioned.

A woman who tried to smuggle £110k worth of cannabis into Renfrewshire could be facing a lengthy jail sentence.

Alisha Penney flew from Toronto then to Frankfurt before landing at Glasgow Airport with a suitcase packed with 17.20kg of the Class-B drug.

But Penney was caught red handed when Border Force cops were concerned about the route the 22-year-old had taken to the Caledonia Way airport and decided to refer her to officials to be checked out.

Penney claimed she was given the suitcase at Toronto Airport after a friend had introduced her to a stranger.

Prosecutor Jason Stark told Paisley Sheriff Court : “On February 5, the accused presented herself at the United Kingdom immigration controls at Glasgow Airport.

“Border Force immigration officials noted she had travelled from Toronto to Frankfurt then onwards to Glasgow and were concerned by this route of travel and referred her to customs control for examination.

“Officials spoke with the accused and she informed them of her travel and she was intending to stay for about six days to visit family in London.

“The accused was asked how she would travel to London replying she would get an Uber taxi and she replied no when asked if she had anything to declare.”

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Court heard when Penney was asked if she was aware of items that were prohibited from being brought into the country, she stated there was nothing in her bag but pointed to a large suitcase.

Mr Stark added: “The accused stated she was given the bag at the airport by a stranger having been introduced by a friend.

“She said there could be weed inside it when questioned by officials.

“Around 12.40, Border Force officials opened the suitcase and observed multiple packages containing herbal cannabis.

“The accused was arrested and a sample from one of the parcels was taken which tested positive for cannabis.

“Border Force officers recovered 35 sealed packages containing cannabis with a total weight of 17.20kg.

“In addition to the drugs seized, officers seized the accused’s Canadian passport, two boarding passes, 528 Canadian Dollars, €76 and a pink iPhone.

“Penney was taken to Govan police station where she was cautioned and charged, making no reply.”

Mr Stark explained the haul of cannabis had a wholesale value between £64,600 and £110,500 depending on the quality.

Defence agent Ruth Wallace asked for reports to be prepared and stated Penney was “extremely realistic about this matter”.

Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC deferred sentence for background reports until next month and remanded Penney, described as a prisoner of HMP Greenock, in custody meantime.

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