NTA
Smash Lord
A teenager from London is to be charged with drug trafficking in the US after 13kg of cocaine was found in her luggage.
Ayesha Niles, a student from Upper Norwood, south-east London, was arrested at Miami International Airport.
Although she was 17 at the time of the offence she has since turned 18 and the US will try her as an adult.
Ms Niles, who was on a flight from Jamaica, is yet to enter a plea.
'Birthday in jail'
Her arrest report reads: "[She] was selected for secondary screening, at which time she was transferred to the inspection area.
"An inspection of her suitcase revealed a total of 29.3 lbs of powder cocaine, concentrated within food product boxes.
"It should be noted that the seized contraband was confirmed... as being the same boxes placed in her luggage in Jamaica."
Under American law Ms Niles will have an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty within three weeks.
The serious nature of the alleged offence means she will not be eligible for bail.
Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundl said: "This young woman had her 18th birthday in a foreign jail, far from her home and her family." gg
Ayesha Niles, a student from Upper Norwood, south-east London, was arrested at Miami International Airport.
Although she was 17 at the time of the offence she has since turned 18 and the US will try her as an adult.
Ms Niles, who was on a flight from Jamaica, is yet to enter a plea.
'Birthday in jail'
Her arrest report reads: "[She] was selected for secondary screening, at which time she was transferred to the inspection area.
"An inspection of her suitcase revealed a total of 29.3 lbs of powder cocaine, concentrated within food product boxes.
"It should be noted that the seized contraband was confirmed... as being the same boxes placed in her luggage in Jamaica."
Under American law Ms Niles will have an opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty within three weeks.
The serious nature of the alleged offence means she will not be eligible for bail.
Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundl said: "This young woman had her 18th birthday in a foreign jail, far from her home and her family." gg
