British Beautician Faces 60 Years in U.S. Prison for Cocaine Smuggling, Claims She Thought She Was Carrying Cash

Chicago, Illinois — Kim Hall, a 28-year-old beautician from Middlesbrough, UK, could face up to 60 years in a U.S. prison after authorities reportedly caught her attempting to smuggle £15 million worth of cocaine into the country.

Hall, arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in August, insists she thought she was transporting cash rather than drugs.

Homeland Security agents discovered 43 kilograms of cocaine concealed in her luggage. Hall, who is currently released on bail and wearing an electronic tag, awaits her court hearing this week to set a trial date. She faces charges of unlawful possession and intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carry a sentence of 15 to 60 years.

Hall claims the incident began when two British men, whom she met on a previous vacation, offered her a free trip to Cancun, Mexico. At the end of her week-long stay, she says they asked her to carry two suitcases containing $250,000 across the border. Hall insists she thought she was transporting only cash and had no idea the suitcases contained drugs.

As Hall attempted to leave, however, she missed two flights due to a scheduling issue and visa requirements. She claims this delay led the men to threaten her, with one of them allegedly dragging her by her hair and holding a gun to her head. Hall says she felt her life was at risk if she didn’t follow through, eventually agreeing to carry the luggage.

When U.S. authorities inspected her bags and uncovered the cocaine, Hall was shocked. She was reportedly so distraught that she asked officers if the U.S. still used the death penalty. Her father, John Hall, has defended her, stating that she is guilty only of “stup