Plea Accepted, But Pregnancy and Mental Health Play Major Role
Prosecutors accepted her basis of plea, which was that a friend suggested she could make quick cash by helping bring vapes back to the UK and avoid paying tax.
This narrative aligns with trends of financially vulnerable women being drawn into smuggling under misleading pretenses. KanKam-Adu said she was promised £250 and traveled.
To Toronto using tickets provided to her. She followed instructions, was given a suitcase, and due to its size and weight, later realized it likely contained cannabis — not vapes.
Her decision to continue was based on needing the money and already possessing a return ticket — a common profile for targets of criminal exploitation.
Trauma, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage While in Custody
Glenn Gatland, defending, said KanKam-Adu had a difficult childhood and had spent time in a care home, which can be a risk factor for mental health challenges, chronic stress, and lack of access to preventative care services. He added that before committing the offence, she found out she was pregnant and didn’t want her child to suffer a similar fate.
