A 22-year-old mother, Poppie Kudiersky, avoided a prison term after revealing threats made by drug traffickers that prompted her to smuggle cannabis worth £285,000 from Thailand to the UK. Kudiersky, hailing from Denton, Greater Manchester, narrated how she was coerced into acting as a drug mule under the threat of harm to her five-year-old son. Initially agreeing to assist in a credit card scheme, she was later intimidated with photos of criminals near her home and was forced to transport 57 cannabis packages in two suitcases.
Upon arrival at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on February 2, 2024, Kudiersky and her companion Mohammed Jacfer, 26, were apprehended by customs officers with the drug-filled suitcases. Prosecutors detailed the events, highlighting the discovery of the cannabis packages in Kudiersky’s luggage, bearing her name tags.
Further investigations uncovered a conversation on Kudiersky’s phone, where she acknowledged her association with Jacfer and discussed her situation. The phone also revealed her attempt to secure a free holiday and her concerns about threats directed at her family. Additionally, officers found images of Kudiersky enjoying a vacation in Thailand on her social media accounts.
Kudiersky, as per her accepted plea basis, stated that she reluctantly agreed to the smuggling operation out of fear for her child’s safety. The sentencing by Judge Hilary Manley included 15 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge emphasized the rise in drug importation crimes and the need for strict sentencing to deter offenders.
The Mail Online reported a significant increase in airline passengers caught smuggling cannabis into the UK. Judge Manley’s sentencing decision took into account the circumstances surrounding Kudiersky’s case, addressing the prevalence of such crimes and the need for deterrent measures.