What would you do for £250? For 19-year-old Daniella KanKam-Adu, the answer was a risky airport run that ended in a courtroom.
The London teen, who was pregnant at the time, found herself in deep legal trouble after trying to smuggle over 22 kilograms of cannabis into the UK from Canada.
Her reason? She needed money to secure a place to live and prepare for motherhood.
Now, after a turbulent few months that included three months in custody and a tragic miscarriage, she’s walked free—but not without consequences.
The Smuggling Attempt That Went Sideways
Daniella landed at Newcastle Airport on March 3, thinking she’d pulled off a quick job.
She believed she was helping bring vapes back from Toronto, allegedly avoiding UK taxes.
That was the story she told investigators.
But it didn’t take long for Border Force officials to discover something else entirely.
Inside her luggage? £225,000 worth of cannabis—22.5kg to be exact.
Daniella insisted she packed the bags herself, but when officers pushed her to open one, she suddenly said she didn’t have the key.
Moments later, her demeanor changed.
She became defensive, and soon the drugs were found.
Courtroom Details and a Surprising Sentence
In court, Daniella admitted to being involved in the illegal import of cannabis.
Prosecutors accepted her version of events: that she was offered £250 by a friend to bring back what she believed were vape products.
Only later did she realize, based on the suitcase’s size and weight, that it probably contained drugs—but by then, she says, she felt stuck.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Daniella, raised in care, had a tough upbringing.
She wanted to give her unborn child a better life than she had, which is what led her to accept the offer in the first place.
Her lawyer revealed that during her time in custody, Daniella suffered a miscarriage, adding another layer of pain to an already tragic story.
Judge sentencing her to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, said the time she already spent in custody was punishment enough to deter her from repeating her mistakes.
A Wider Pattern? Two More British Women Detained Abroad
Daniella’s case isn’t isolated. In the same week, two other young British women—Bella Culley, 18, and Charlotte May Lee, 21—were arrested overseas for alleged drug smuggling.
Bella was detained in Georgia after trying to enter the country from Thailand with 14kg of cannabis in her luggage.
She, too, is reportedly pregnant and could face at least 15 years behind bars.
Her father has flown out to support her as the case unfolds.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, a flight attendant, was arrested at Colombo Airport in Sri Lanka.
Police there say she had over £1.15 million worth of kush, a potent synthetic cannabis variant, hidden in her belongings.
Interestingly, both women left Bangkok around the same time, suggesting the possibility of a larger trafficking network operating out of Thailand.
Investigators are now exploring whether these arrests are connected—and if British backpackers are being targeted by drug gangs.
A Warning to Young Travelers
Authorities believe Thai smuggling rings may be shifting tactics.
A massive drop in cannabis shipments being mailed to the UK—down 90% thanks to a joint crackdown—may have pushed gangs back toward using human mules.
With young, financially vulnerable women as targets, the danger is real and growing.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed they are supporting the detained women and are in contact with their families and local officials.
What Happens Next?
For Daniella, the focus now is staying out of trouble and rebuilding her life after loss.
For Bella and Charlotte, the road ahead is uncertain—and likely much more severe.
Their stories serve as a sobering reminder: one bad decision, one easy-looking offer, can spiral into a life-altering ordeal.
Whether motivated by money, desperation, or simple naivety, the cost can be far greater than anyone expects.