Influencer Sentenced for Cannabis Smuggling
An aspiring Scottish social media influencer has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after being apprehended for smuggling £150,000 worth of cannabis at Edinburgh Airport.
Ellie Crampsie, 23, admitted to carrying 17kg of the Class B drug concealed in a suitcase while returning from a holiday in Thailand in April of the previous year.
Originating from Broomhouse in Glasgow, Crampsie informed Edinburgh Sheriff Court that she was coerced into transporting the drugs by an ex-boyfriend.
Crampsie, recognized as a promoter within Glasgow's nightlife and events community, maintains a social media presence with approximately 5,500 Instagram followers and 6,000 TikTok followers.
During sentencing, Sheriff Graeme Watson acknowledged that she had been
"naive and potentially taken advantage of"by her former partner.
"You knew your former partner had been involved in drugs and he asked you to check in his luggage.
Your role was one of carrying the cannabis in your luggage and I accept there was a power imbalance in the relationship."
Details of the Incident and Legal Proceedings
Crampsie was intercepted by border control officers upon arrival on an Air France flight from Thailand, which connected via Paris.
The suitcase, which Crampsie stated belonged to her ex-boyfriend, also contained female clothing.
The estimated value of the drugs ranged between £115,000 and £151,000.
Her legal representative, Michael Poggi, argued that Crampsie had a
"lesser role"in the transportation of the drugs and presented evidence indicating she was under pressure from others.
He told the court a "much older person" exerted a
"controlling influence"over her.
In delivering the sentence, Sheriff Watson recognized that Crampsie bore a
"lesser degree of culpability"but emphasized that her decision was
"reckless"and warranted incarceration.
