British beautician, 28, facing 60 years behind bars in the US after ‘trying to smuggle £3.5million of cocaine in suitcases from Mexico’
A British beautician could be jailed for 60 years in the US for allegedly taking home £3.5 million worth of cocaine hidden in suitcases during a holiday in Mexico.
Kimberly Hall, 28, claimed she was forced to carry suitcases for two men who offered her a free vacation to Cancun.
Her father said they were ‘property developers’ and reportedly ‘invited her to stay with them’ after meeting her on another holiday in Portugal.
She claimed they “threatened” her when she arrived in Mexico and “forced her to take home two suitcases” they had packed.
According to her family, she thought it contained $250,000 in cash. But Homeland Security investigators at Chicago O’Hare Airport discovered 43 kg of cocaine in the bags worth $4.5 million.
British beautician Kimberly Hall could be jailed for 60 years in the US for allegedly bringing home £3.5 million worth of cocaine hidden in suitcases from a holiday in Mexico
Ms. Hall, 28, is currently in Chicago awaiting trial
Kimberly Hall, 28, claimed she was forced to carry suitcases for two men who offered her a free vacation to Cancun
Officers were waiting for her at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport as she prepared for a connecting flight to Manchester.
Mrs Hall’s father John, 59, told the story The sun: ‘She’s not a drug smuggler. They took her phone and threatened her family and that’s why she did it.
‘She’s never had any problems, nothing at all. She had a good upbringing and has always worked for her money.
“The only thing she’s guilty of is being stupid and naive.”
Ms Hall, from Middlesbrough, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to supply following her arrest in August.
Her father said they have paid £28,000 for a local lawyer and are terrified for her welfare because she is ‘petrified’. and ‘in tears’.
Ms Hall, from Middlesbrough, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to supply following her arrest in August
She was reportedly found with more than 900 grams, which puts her in the top bracket for sentencing.
This is a Class X felony punishable by between 15 and 60 years in prison.
Class X drug charges are usually for people who intend to manufacture or distribute illegal drugs.
The penalties can vary depending on the amount of drugs in their possession.
She is currently in the Cook County Jail in Chicago awaiting trial.
The prison has held several notorious criminals, including Al Capone, Tony Accardo, Frank Nitti, Larry Hoover, Jordan Tate, Jeff Fort, Richard Speck, John Wayne Gacy and the Chicago Seven.
People protesting conditions inside have claimed in the past that some prisoners do not have access to soap, restricting their movement.
A coalition of former prisoners, family members of current prisoners and advocates say prisoners’ rights are violated daily because they are not allowed to worship the way they want.
In a statement to CBS 2, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office called this group’s claims “baseless.”
They said their facility is considered a model of safety nationwide and that inmates receive many essential services, including mental health care and the essentials of soap and balanced, nutritious meals.