Woman remanded after admitting drug importation charges

A 31-year-old woman who admitted importing and trafficking more than four kilogrammes of cannabis has been remanded to Dodds Prison pending sentencing on Tuesday. Lauren Asele Broomes, 31, of Traineline Trace, Emerald Park, St Philip, appeared before Magistrate Manila Renee and admitted that on July 15, she was in possession of, trafficked, intended to supply and imported 4.4 kilograms of cannabis. The drugs have an estimated street value of $70 400. Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Forde told the court that Broomes arrived on the island on a flight from New York last Wednesday, cleared immigration, collected her suitcase and headed to Customs. While there, she was searched and five vacuum-sealed bags containing vegetable matter suspected to be cannabis were found concealed in two toy boxes. A further search of the suitcase within the examination room revealed four additional packages. Police were informed and she was transported to the Oistins Police Station. Magistrate Renee remanded Broomes to Dodds Prison and adjourned sentencing until July 21. (JB)