Latest news with #BritishAirways
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
Brit mum arrested with son, 6, for ‘smuggling £1.6m of drugs in Mauritius' launches fundraiser & claims ‘I was coerced'
A BRIT mum-of-two accused of trying to smuggle £1.6million of drugs into Mauritius inside her son's suitcase has claimed she was coerced. Natashia Artug, 35, allegedly stuffed 24 packages of cannabis weighing 14kg inside her six-year-old son's wheelie case. 9 9 9 9 The mum from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was held along with seven other people accused of trying to smuggle a total of 161kg into the tropical island in the Indian Ocean. The lad was picked up by customs officials when the group landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport last month. The boy was initially held by Mauritian cops but has since been released and is now back in the UK with his father. Natashia is said to be 'vulnerable' and claims she was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by drug traffickers who threatened her family. Nonprofit group Justice Abroad said she did not know the bags contained cannabis. She has launched a crowdfunder appealing for £5,000 to fight the serious charges. . Natashia's partner Florian Lisman, 38 from Romania, was also arrested and was said to be carrying 32 bags of drugs, an iPhone and £260 in his luggage. The other Brits arrested included Laura Kappen, 28, a bar worker from Orton Goldhay, Cambs, Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Cambs, Shona Campbell, 33, a cleaner from Standground, Cambs, Lily Watson, a caterer from Peterborough, Cambs, and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, also from Peterborough. Each suspect was travelling on the British Airways flight from Gatwick with an Apple AirTag which is used to track an item's location. Justice Abroad claim these were used by a trafficking gang to keep tabs on the group's movements with the drugs shipment. Authorities on Mauritius branded the use of a child in the audacious drug smuggling plot as 'outrageous and inhumane". They added: "This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years." The drugs cache was found during a joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the airport. 9 9 9 Justice Abroad said Natashia suffers from fibromyalgia and is currently attending university. They added: "This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. "She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation." Accused Patrick's mother Carly Wilsdon previously said her son had just started work as a window fitter in Peterborough and had gone to Mauritius after being offered a 'free holiday'. It was only the second time he had been abroad in his life. She said: 'He was told it was a free holiday. He wouldn't have known what he was doing because he wouldn't get involved in drugs. 'The person who told them about this free holiday is one of his circle of friends but now he has disappeared. 'He told them that he had been before and that they would meet someone there. There was no mention of drugs. 'It is so hard. He could be looking at 30 years. He has never been in trouble and only been abroad once before. 'I missed a call from him on the day they arrived. I thought it was to show me the apartment. I can't believe what's happened.' 9 Speaking outside her home last month, a relative of Laura Kappen said: 'She is not a bad kid. She's never done anything wrong in her life but I guess she has done something foolish. Someone must have enticed them with money.' A relative of Shona Campbell said: 'It is really difficult. She's got two little kids and they don't know. It's horrible.' The shocking arrests come amid a spate of Brits accused of drug smuggling around the world. Bella May Culley, 19, is battling to avoid a 20-year jail sentence while pregnant after being arrested in Georgia. The 19-year-old from Billingham, County Durham, denies knowingly smuggling cannabis and hashish from Thailand. She says she was coerced by a brutal trafficking gang who allegedly burned her with an iron and threatened her family with beheading. Bella claims she was duped into transporting the drugs by the Thailand-based gang – but prosecutors argue CCTV footage shows her calmly passing through Bangkok airport's gates without raising the alarm. In Sri Lanka, Charlotte May Lee is behind bars after allegedly attempting to smuggle £1.2million worth of synthetic kush, a highly potent cannabis variant. The 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, denies the allegations but was reportedly caught with 46kg of the substance packed into her suitcases. If convicted, she could be handed a 25-year prison sentence in a country known for its tough anti-drug stance. And a British couple claiming to be holidaymakers were busted in Valencia, Spain, after allegedly arriving with 33kg of cannabis hidden in their bags. Police said they were flagged for their 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now in jail facing serious trafficking charges. Lee Adams, who went missing on Mauritius, was arrested on May 24 on suspicion of smuggling £110,000 worth of cannabis into the East African nation. Lee, 40, from Yardley, Birmingham, was intercepted as he arrived at the airport and customs officers found 5.75 kilos of cannabis concealed in his suitcase. According to local news reports Adams, who was confronted with the evidence during an interrogation, admitted his role and was arrested on the spot. Investigators immediately launched a "controlled delivery" operation on the holiday island and two suspected accomplices, both believed to be British, were also arrested. An investigation has been launched and the trio remain in custody. Spate of Brit drug arrests worldwide A SLEW of drug mule cases invovling Brits have emerged in the last few weeks In April-May, Two other Brit women were arrested abroad for alleged drug smuggling. Glam tourist Bella Culley allegedly tried to smuggle a suitcase of weed into Georgia and was locked away in a brutal ex-Soviet prison despite claiming to be pregnant. The 18-year-old was sent to the brutal Women's Penitentiary No. 5 in the town of Rustavi - a slammer notorious for its hellish conditions just outside Tbilisi. She had originally jetted to the Philippines to meet an old friend, but reportedly changed her plans last minute to go to Thailand with a gang of British lads unknown to her. A sentence ranging from 20 years to life could be a possibility for teen Bella from County Durham, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile, former air stewardess Charlotte May Lee was then caught allegedly trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.2million into Sri Lanka. Her two suitcases were said to have been stuffed with 46kg of a synthetic cannabis strain known as kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence. Meanwhile, a young mum is being detained in Germany for allegedly smuggling cannabis in her bags on a flight from Thailand - in yet another shocking case. Glamorous Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. It comes as a Brit couple claiming to be tourists from Thailand have been busted with more than 33kg of cannabis in their suitcases at a Spanish airport. The pair were picked out by suspicious cops at Valencia Airport after displaying a 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now behind bars on drug trafficking charges. Experts told The Sun how wannabe Brit Insta stars are being lured by cruel gangs into carting drugs across the world.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit mum arrested in Mauritius with son, 6, and suitcase full of cannabis
British mum Nastashia Artug, 35, and her Romanian partner were arrested in Mauritius after an estimated £1.6 million worth of cannabis was reportedly found inside luggage A British mum who was arrested in a drugs bust in Mauritius with her six-year-old son claimed she was "coerced" into carrying a suitcase filled with cannabis. Her Romanian partner was also said to have drugs in his luggage. Natashia Artug, 35, was one of eight people apprehended who were accused of carrying an estimated 161kg of cannabis worth an estimated £1.6million, in their bags. Her son's luggage reportedly had 24 packs of the drugs wrapped in cellophane and weighed some 14kg. Natashia, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was said to be "vulnerable" and had been coerced into travelling to the island nation by people who threatened her and her family, London-based non-profit Justice Abroad said. The group said the mum also did not know the bags had cannabis inside. Her partner Florian Lisman, 38, originally from Romania, was arrested and said to be carrying 32 drug packages, an iPhone and £260. Others who were detained included Patrick Lee Wilsdon, 22, Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32. Each of them carried between 30 and 32 packages, Mauritian newspaper Le Mauricien reported. All of them had been on the same British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport last month. They have all been charged with drug trafficking and remain in custody. "Justice Abroad is representing Natashia Artug, a British mother who is currently detained in Mauritius, facing serious drug charges after being arrested at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport with her six-year-old son on arrival after having been forced to carry a suitcase containing cannabis without her knowledge," the non profit said. "Natashia is a single mother of two, who suffers from fibromyalgia [a condition characterised by cognitive difficulties] but who attends university to give her children a better future. She was coerced into travelling to Mauritius with her young son, and to carry the luggage which she did not know contained cannabis, by individuals involved in the drugs trade who took advantage of her vulnerability and made threats to cause serious violence to her and her family if she refused to obey their orders. "The luggage they were forced to carry was fitted with Apple tacking devices used by international drug trafficking gangs to help smugglers keep abs on their shipments." The boy, who was unaware of what was in his bag, has reportedly already flown back to the UK and is staying with his dad. Justice Abroad has since launched a Crowd Justice fundraising campaign in a bid to raise £5,000 toward her legal defence. A Foreign Office spokesperson told MailOnline: "We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
British mum arrested in Mauritius for 'smuggling drugs' in young son's luggage
A British mum-of-two has been arrested in Mauritius after trying to smuggle drugs inside her six-year-old son's suitcase. Natashia Artug, 35, was arrested alongside seven others accused of carrying cannabis worth £1.6 million in their luggage on a British Airways flight from Gatwick to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport last month. The child's suitcase reportedly had 24 packages of drugs weighing 14kg, which Mauritian authorities described as 'outrageous and inhumane'. They added: 'This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years.' Natshia's partner Florian Lisman, 38, was also arrested and said to be carrying 32 drug packages according to local newspaper Le Mauricien. Others arrested include Patrick Lee Wilsdon, 22, Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32, who each had between 30 to 31 packages. They have all been charged with drug trafficking. The boy has already been flown back to the UK and is staying with his dad. But Natashia, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is 'vulnerable' and was coerced into smuggling the drugs by people who threatened her and her family, Justice Abroad has said. They have launched a fundraiser to cover Natashia's legal costs and bring her back to the UK. They wrote: 'Natashia is a single mother of two, who suffers from Fibromyalgia but who attends university and is working to give her children a better future. 'She was coerced into travelling to Mauritius with her young son, and to carry the luggage which she did not know contained cannabis, by individuals involved in the drugs trade who took advantage of her vulnerability and made threats to cause serious violence to her and her family if she refused to obey their orders. More Trending 'This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. 'She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation which resulted in her being involved in.' The Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Major evacuation amid fears of explosives found at a Bristol home MORE: Woman, 86, arrested after 'human remains buried in 1970s' reported in Leicester MORE: Girl, 9, shot in head 'by motorbike hitman during botched gangland murder'
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Pictured: Mother arrested in Mauritius with her son, six, after being 'coerced' into carrying suitcase full of cannabis
A British mother-of-two has been arrested in Mauritius accused of trying to smuggle cannabis inside her six-year-old son's suitcase. Natashia Artug, 35, was detained alongside seven other people accused of carrying more than 161 kilograms of the drug - worth £1.6 million - in their luggage. The boy's luggage alone is said to have had 24 packages of drugs wrapped in clear cellophane inside weighing 14kg. Natashia from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, who is 'vulnerable' was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by people involved in the drug trade who threatened her and her family, Justice Abroad has said. She also did not know the bags contained cannabis, the nonprofit added. Natashia's partner Florian Lisman, a 38-year-old Romanian, was also arrested and said to be carrying 32 drug packages, an i-Phone and £260 pounds. The other Brits detained were Patrick Lee Wilsdon, 22, Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32, who each had between 30 and 32 packages, according to local newspaper Le Mauricien. They were all on the same British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport last month. The suspects have all been charged with drug trafficking and remain in custody. Each suspect carried Apple AirTags, which can be fixed to an item to track its location, and up to £900 in cash. The trackers - around the size of a 50p piece - are thought to be used by international drug trafficking gangs to help smugglers keep tabs on their shipments. Mauritian authorities described the use of the child's luggage to transport the drugs as 'outrageous and inhumane', adding 'this is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years'. The boy, who was unaware of the contents of his bag, has reportedly already flown back to the UK and is staying with his father. Justice Abroad has launched a Crowd Justice fundraising campaign to raise £5,000 towards her legal defence. The organisers write: 'Natashia is a single mother of two, who suffers from Fibromyalgia but who attends university and is working to give her children a better future. 'She was coerced into travelling to Mauritius with her young son, and to carry the luggage which she did not know contained cannabis, by individuals involved in the drugs trade who took advantage of her vulnerability and made threats to cause serious violence to her and her family if she refused to obey their orders. 'This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation which resulted in her being involved in.' A Foreign Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.'
Business Insider
16 hours ago
- Business Insider
I traveled through 5 different airports during a summer trip to Europe. The best one surprised me.
Some would say it's crazy to squeeze four countries into a two-and-a-half week trip to Europe. That "some" would include my parents, but I've always liked a challenge. My June Eurotrip took me through five different airports, which provided five very different experiences. So I figured, why not rank them? It should go without saying that travel is unpredictable and experiences can vary widely due to weather, national strikes, and time of year — not to mention the size of the airport. This is more to help with your own Europe travel planning than anything else. 5. Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Florence, Italy My experience with the Florence Airport was rocky from the beginning. It was the first stop on our trip, and my fiancé and I decided to grab a cab to our hotel after a full day of traveling from Los Angeles. However, peak tourism season was already in full swing, and we waited almost 45 minutes outside for an available car. Our problems persisted when we returned to the airport four days later. There were no self-service kiosks for British Airways, which I was flying to London, or KLM, which my fiancé was flying to Amsterdam, leading to very long check-in lines. But that would be the least of our struggles. Florence Airport only has one short runway, frequently leading to diverted and canceled flights during bad weather. It was somewhat windy that day, leading 30 people — including my fiancé — to get kicked off the KLM flight. He waited at the airport for hours to get rebooked on a new flight at 6 a.m. the following morning, then was taken via bus to a hotel 45 minutes away. A spokesperson for the airport told me a project to modify the orientation and length of the runway is "currently undergoing approval." 4. Heathrow Airport in London, United Kingdom I studied abroad in Cambridge and lived in the UK during my 20s, so I've flown in and out of Heathrow at least a dozen times and have had fairly good experiences overall. It's also ranked 22nd in Skytrax's 2025 list for top 100 airports in the world, which is considered the Oscars of the aviation industry. But Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world, can be chaotic. My first issue was during the self-service bag drop. This is a great time-saving feature at Heathrow, but my luggage got flagged for being one pound overweight. A nearby staff member told me the scales are extremely sensitive, and I'd have to shuffle some things around. It's not a huge deal, but definitely something to know if you're flying through this airport and happen to be a chronic overpacker (ahem, me). The staff member then said I could go to the north or south security zone. I opted for the north, only to be turned away because the entire zone had suddenly closed. This led to a massive rush of people heading to the south zone. The security line also took longer because of the general confusion around Heathrow's very strict policy for liquids in carry-ons. People held up the line as they tried to organize their bottles into plastic bags, and carry-ons kept getting flagged if a stray bottle was found. So, if you're heading to Heathrow soon, be extra careful with your luggage and liquids and bank some extra time in case of long lines. That way you won't have to be the person sprinting to their gate (ahem, me again). 3. Zurich Airport in Zurich, Switzerland Zurich, ranked 10th in Skytrax's top 100 list, was my connecting airport as I flew from LA to Florence. I was in the airport for less than two hours, but I was impressed with how they handled a lost item issue. I was just about to wander away from our gate and grab a snack when my iPhone alerted me that I "seemed far away" from my AirPods, which I had apparently left in the seat-back pocket on the plane. I was already in a different terminal, and my flight was set to board in 20 minutes. I went up to the first desk I saw, where an attendant was happy to help. She showed me how to submit the airport's lost item report, a quick form I could complete from my phone. Within two days, I received confirmation that my AirPods had been found and were being stored in the lost and found. I paid a fee to get them sent back to LA, where they were waiting for me when I returned from my trip. 2. Athens International Airport in Athens, Greece I spent a lot of summers as a kid at the airport in Athens, often snacking on a ham and cheese toastie while we waited for a connecting flight to visit Thessaloniki, my parents' hometown. So yes, I'm a little biased! But my most recent experience at Athens International Airport, ranked 88th on Skytrax's list, couldn't have been smoother. We were able to quickly grab our luggage and order an Uber when we landed, and the check-in and security process was a breeze when it was time to catch our flight home. What I really love about this airport is the dozens of shops where you can buy whatever Greek snacks you couldn't fit into your luggage, which in my case was a lot. I was so content browsing through the bottles of olive oil and shelves of cookies (Caprice wafers are always a must) that my Norse Atlantic Airways flight was halfway through boarding when I got to my gate. 1. Düsseldorf Airport in Düsseldorf, Germany I flew into Düsseldorf Airport — ranked 28th on Skytrax's list — for a wedding in Recklinghausen, and from the moment I landed, everything just felt so easy. I swiftly grabbed my checked bag and followed the signs to find the SkyTrain, a fully automatic railway that took me straight to the Düsseldorf Flughafen station to catch my train to Recklinghausen. The return journey was just as effortless. My fiancé and I were able to check in with the airport's self-service kiosks and bag drop, and this time, my luggage didn't get flagged by a sensitive scale. We didn't even have to wait in any lines! The security check was quick and efficient, and there were tons of great food and shopping options available at our terminal.
