Newcastle, UK – May 20, 2025 — A 19-year-old woman who attempted to smuggle 22.5 kilograms of cannabis into the UK from Canada has avoided a custodial sentence after a court accepted her explanation that she was desperate to raise money for a house deposit.
Daniella KanKam-Adu, a London resident from Queens Road, was intercepted by Border Force officers at Newcastle Airport on March 3 after arriving from Toronto. She was allegedly offered £250 to carry out the smuggling operation under the belief she was importing untaxed vapes.
Drug Haul Worth £225,000
Upon inspection, officers discovered the Class B drug concealed in her luggage, which KanKam-Adu initially claimed to have packed herself. However, when asked to open a locked suitcase, she became obstructive, and the officers forcibly accessed the luggage, uncovering cannabis with an estimated street value of £225,000.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told Newcastle Crown Court that the defendant claimed she had no knowledge of the true contents of her luggage, believing instead that she was helping a friend smuggle untaxed vaping products into the country.
“She travelled to Toronto on tickets provided to her and was handed the suitcase to return with. She suspected the contents might be cannabis but decided to go through with it anyway,” Wardlaw said.
Personal Hardships and Plea for Leniency
In her defence, Glenn Gatland cited KanKam-Adu’s troubled upbringing, noting her time in care homes and a recent pregnancy discovered before the incident. Gatland said her desire to provide a stable home for her unborn child pushed her into accepting the risky deal.
The court also heard that KanKam-Adu suffered a miscarriage during a three-month remand in custody, a period her lawyer described as a “life-changing deterrent”.
“She has learned a hard lesson and wants a better life for herself and her future children,” Gatland stated.
Judge Accepts Mitigation, Avoids Jail Term
Acknowledging her guilty plea and the exceptional personal circumstances, the court ruled against a prison sentence. The judge accepted that she acted out of naivety and desperation rather than malice or criminal intent.
KanKam-Adu was handed a suspended sentence and is expected to undergo rehabilitation and community service.
The case highlights growing concerns about young women being exploited as drug mules, often under financial pressure or manipulation by peers.
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