A young woman shared her experience of a distressing moment when she realized she was about to be arrested after Border Force officials inspected her luggage at an airport. Kertania Odususi, aged 24, arrived at Edinburgh Airport from Thailand with two suitcases last March, both containing a significant amount of cannabis. Odususi, hailing from Croydon, London, stated that she had unknowingly carried the drugs back in exchange for a free holiday offer.
Upon the luggage inspection by Border Force officers, Odususi felt extreme anxiety, fearing imminent arrest as she believed her life was in jeopardy. Inside the suitcases, authorities found 40 vacuum-sealed packages totaling approximately 20 kilograms of cannabis. Subsequently, Odususi was apprehended, charged, and brought to trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
During the trial, Odususi faced accusations of involvement in the fraudulent smuggling and distribution of controlled substances. The court learned that Odususi traveled from Thailand to Doha before boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Edinburgh, where she was apprehended by customs officials.
Following Odususi’s claim that she lacked keys to open the suitcases she packed herself, officials resorted to cutting them open. When confronted with the contents of the luggage, Odususi admitted to feeling panicked, realizing the gravity of the situation and anticipating her arrest.
Authorities estimated the street value of the seized 20 kilograms of cannabis to be £200,000. Odususi revealed that she was introduced to an individual who arranged her flights and coordinated the suitcase exchange. She recounted being instructed to meet two men upon arrival at Edinburgh Airport to hand over the luggage. Despite breaking down multiple times during her testimony and admitting to naivety, Odususi maintained her innocence regarding the drug discovery.
After around an hour of deliberation, the jury delivered a verdict of majority not proven on both charges, resulting in Odususi’s acquittal from the court proceedings.