A transgender criminal has received an 18-month sentence in a male prison after attempting to bring 26 kilograms of cannabis into Britain to finance gender reassignment surgery.
Keira Borrett, aged 46 and residing in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk, was apprehended at London Heathrow Airport on May 23 while carrying two luggage cases containing the Class B substance.
The 46-year-old, who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman, had travelled from Bangkok when Border Force officers discovered the drugs.
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Isleworth Crown Court was informed that the defendant had agreed to transport the narcotics for a £10,000 payment intended for transitional medical procedures.
The court heard that the smuggler encountered an individual from Essex in a Bangkok establishment, where they discussed the high costs of gender reassignment procedures.
Following this meeting, associates of the Essex resident arranged for Borrett to receive two substantial bags delivered by individuals in a sports utility vehicle.
These items were registered as Borrett's personal luggage for the flight.
The arrangement stipulated that upon arrival in Britain, the offender would deliver the bags to a hotel and receive the promised £10,000 payment.
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A transgender criminal has received an 18-month sentence in a male prison after attempting to bring 26 kilograms of cannabis into Britain to finance gender reassignment surgery
|Prosecutor Sahra Ali told the court that the culprit had entered into this agreement voluntarily, without coercion.
Airport security personnel uncovered vacuum-packed cannabis parcels worth approximately £800,000 during routine baggage screening, leading to the individuals immediate detention.
The defendant entered a guilty plea to drug smuggling charges at a previous court appearance.
Prosecutor Sahra Ali said: "She was not under any duress, she did this willingly. There was an expectation of significant financial advance."
Isleworth Crown Court was informed that the defendant had agreed to transport the narcotics for a £10,000 payment intended for transitional medical procedures
|Defence barrister Sebastian Cox argued that incarceration in a male facility had compelled his client to "detransition" and requested a suspended sentence.
Mr Cox told the court: "Every day in prison has been harder for her given her identity,"
The defence characterised the incident as an "isolated" lapse in judgment.
Mr Cox said: "The offer of money and knowing what it could have done for her life. She made a very silly decision."
He added: "She is remorseful in the extreme knowing the impact this has had on her family and friends."
Recorder Kate Aubrey-Johnson questioned Borrett's assertion that the decision was spontaneous.
She noted this marked the defendant's second journey to Thailand within several months.
The judge added: "Although you say it was an impulsive decision, the fact that you had travelled to Thailand before makes me wonder how much credibility I can give to that."