Jet-setting mum caught trying to smuggle £300,000 of cocaine into UK in luggage

A mum was jailed for four years after trying to smuggle £300,000 of cocaine into the UK.

Shaketa Raynor, 44, was arrested at Gatwick Airport with 4kg of the Class A drug in her luggage.

She had just stepped off a flight from Costa Rica on June 23.

Originally from Bermuda, Raynor had wanted to start a new life in Hull with her family but struggled to make ends meet, Croydon Crown Court heard.

She turned to smuggling drugs into the UK – until Border Force officers detained her when the cocaine was found hidden in different parts of her luggage, Hull Live reports.

Border Force regional director Tim Kingsberry said: “It is the job of Border Force to stay one step ahead of the smugglers who are looking to bring dangerous drugs into the UK.

“Detections such as this are testament to Border Force officers’ expertise.

“In making this seizure Border Force and the National Crime Agency have protected the public and prevented further criminality.”

Raynor pleaded guilty to importing the drugs, which were estimated to have a street value of around £316,000.

Sentencing her, Judge Deborah Charles said: “You were mainly a courier, but were doing this for money.

“You emigrated to this country and brought your son and his family with you.

“You were unable to find work and took the stupid decision to try and make money by importing drugs.”