THE DAD of a British beautician facing up to 60 years in prison in the US after allegedly smuggling £3.5million worth of cocaine, claims she is “just guilty of being stupid”.
John Hall, 59, defended his daughter Kim, 28, after she was detained at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport while waiting for her flight to Manchester.
7
Kim Hall from Middlesbrough was arrested after Homeland Security officers found 43kg of cocaine in two suitcases Credit: Facebook
7
Kim’s dad, John, 59, defended his daughter, claiming she was not a drug smuggler Credit: Facebook
7
A beautician was arrested in Chicago while waiting for a flight to ManchesterCredit: Mega Agency
Dad said she was offered a free holiday by people she met on an earlier trip to Portugal.
And he insisted she was only to blame for “stupidity and naivety” as they desperately waited for news.
John said she was “petrified” – and at first could barely speak to her family through the flood of tears after her arrest.
Dad is convinced that Kim “without a doubt” would be “forced” to carry drugs.
John told The Sun: “She’s not a drug smuggler.
“She was told that it would be the money she was carrying. They took her phone and threatened her family and that’s why she did it.
“She was in Portugal with a friend and there she met people who contacted her when she came back saying they were in real estate in Mexico and she could go on a free vacation.
“Her friend refused, but she said she would go.
“She was never in trouble, not really anything. She was well brought up and always worked for her money.
“The only thing she’s guilty of is being stupid and naive.”
State Security investigators set out after finding 43 kg of cocaine in two suitcases.
Moment GUN-wielding cops bust drug gang, seize £5,000 cash and hidden weapons in SIX raids across UK
Kim insists she was forced to carry bags for two men who offered her a free vacation in Cancun but threatened her when she got there.
A self-employed beautician from Middlesbrough has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to give birth following her arrest in August.
Since the amount she was allegedly found with was greater than 900 grams, the offense is in the highest sentencing category – it is a Class X felony punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison.
She has already made several preliminary appearances in Cook County Circuit Court and is being held in Chicago pending trial, which could be a year off.
No doubt she was forced to take those things back
John Hall
Her family, who have had to fork out £28,000 for a local solicitor, are terrified for her physical and mental wellbeing.
John added: “For the first few weeks you couldn’t talk to her because of the tears.
“She said: ‘You don’t understand what they threatened me with.’ That’s what we can get out of it.
“She is petrified.
“No doubt she was forced to take these things back.
“And I’m not just saying that to try to protect my daughter.
“I tell you this as a father who knows his daughter in her soul.”
A Cook County court spokeswoman said, “Her next appearance is November 13.”
7
The 28-year-old is being held in Chicago and is awaiting trialCredit: Facebook
7
She claims she was threatened and thought she was just transferring moneyCredit: Facebook
7
The beautician currently faces up to 60 years in prison if convictedCredit: Facebook
7
Kim Hall from Middlesbrough was arrested after Homeland Security officers found 43kg of cocaine in two suitcases Credit: Facebook
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education