Canadian Women Jailed for Smuggling 72kg of Cannabis into the UK

A mother-of-two from Canada was arrested at Manchester Airport after attempting to smuggle over 70 kilograms of cannabis into the UK.

Alisha Tworuschka, 29, arrived in Manchester with Jacqueline Desorcy, also 29, and the two women carried a large amount of luggage through the airport. Tworuschka left the drug-laden suitcases with Desorcy while she took a walk around the terminal.

Upon her return, Tworuschka heard an announcement on the airport’s PA system, which prompted Border Force officers to approach and question the women. The officers quickly discovered that the four suitcases contained a total of 72 kilograms of cannabis.

Tworuschka and Desorcy were subsequently charged and sentenced to one year and ten months in prison. Judge Patrick Field KC presided over the case and delivered a scathing critique of their actions during sentencing.

Judge Field described the women’s decision to transport such a large quantity of drugs from Canada to Manchester as a “monumental error of judgment.” He emphasized that their involvement in drug trafficking was especially shocking given their otherwise stable and responsible backgrounds.

The judge acknowledged that both women were intelligent and hardworking, with stable homes and loving families in Canada. However, given their circumstances, he struggled to understand how they could make such a poor decision.

Field suggested that the allure of a free holiday in the UK might have influenced their decision to become drug couriers. He noted, “It may well be that the enticement of a free holiday in the UK swung the balance.”

The case has drawn attention to the serious legal consequences of drug trafficking and the risks associated with smuggling illegal substances across international borders. The arrest and sentencing highlight the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating drug-related crimes.

Both women were initially charged with possession with intent to supply and later convicted after the discovery of the drugs. Their arrest underscores the vigilance of Border Force officers and the thorough checks conducted at international airports.

Tworuschka and Desorcy’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking, even for individuals who might be otherwise law-abiding and seemingly unlikely to engage in such criminal activities.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

See Full Bio