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"Cocaine Babe" Drug Smuggling Conviction
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Overview
"Cocaine Babe" Drug Smuggling Conviction refers to the trial and online reaction of arrest and trial of an Instagram influencer known for travel photographs for charges of smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine into Australia.
Backgound
On August 28th, 2016, police arrested two social media influencers, Isabelle Lagacé and Melina Roberge (shown below, left), when 95 kilograms (209 pounds) of cocaine were found in their cabin of the MS Sea Princess, a cruise liner.[1] Officials called it the "biggest narcotic seizer off a cruise vessel coming into Austrailia."
The vacation on which the smuggling occured was documented in Instagram posts
Developments
"Cocaine Babe" Moniker
On August 31st, the New York Post[2] published an article entitled "Accused cocaine babes posted insane photos of alleged drug run." This is the earliest known usage of the nickname "Cocaine Babe."
Conviction
On April 18th, Melina Roberge pleaded guilty to smuggling 95 kilos of cocaine into Australia. The drugs were valued at $16 million. She was sentenced to eight years without eligibility for parole. At least four years and nine months will be served before being deported back to her home country of Canada.
Judge Kate Traill said,[3] "She was seduced by lifestyle and the opportunity to post glamorous Instagram photos from around the world. She wanted to be the envy of others. I doubt she is now."
Online Reaction
On Reddit, several discussions were started in various subreddits, including /r/JusticeServed,[7] /r/MGTOW,[8] /r/The_Donald and [9] more.
Online, people many made sarcastic comments about the incident. Twitter [4] user @important_celeb tweeted (shown below, left), "stay strong, Cocaine Babe; as you may recall Ernest also went to jail, but emerged victorious and subsequently went to Africa, and in a separate incident was also scared stupid."
Twitter[5] user @JerkVening tweeted (shown below, center), "I am not part of any group chats and have nowhere to declare my love for Incarcerated Cocaine Babe."
Twitter[6] user @ambrosionelson tweeted (shown below, right), "'Cocaine babe' who said she smuggled drugs for Instagram likes is jailed for eight years 8 years in jail for selfie in exotic places."
Media coverage
Several media outlets covered the conviction, including People,[10] New York Post,[11] The Washington Post[12] and more.
Search Interest
External References
[1] Yahoo – Accused drug smugglers show off luxury cruise holiday before being arrested in Sydney
[2] New York Post – Accused cocaine babes posted insane photos of alleged drug run
[3] The Cut – ‘Cocaine Babe’ Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison
[4] Twitter – @important_celeb's Tweet
[5] Twitter – @JerkVening's Tweet
[6] Twitter – @ambrosionelson's Tweet
[7] Reddit – She Instagrammed her exotic drug-smuggling vacation. Now ‘Cocaine Babe’ is going to prison.
[8] Reddit – She Instagrammed her exotic drug-smuggling vacation. Now ‘Cocaine Babe’ is going to prison.
[9] Reddit – ‘Cocaine babe’ tells court she smuggled drugs for ‘likes and attention’ on Instagram, not Donald related but shows the dangerous thinking of people using social media.
[10] People – Judge Scolds ‘Cocaine Babe’ Who Said She Went on Drug Cruise for ‘Likes and Attention’ on Instagram
[11] New York Post – ‘Cocaine Babe’ weeps as she’s sentenced to 8 years in prison
[12] The Washington Post – She Instagrammed her exotic drug-smuggling vacation. Now ‘Cocaine Babe’ is going to prison.
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