Hull woman held in Egypt for taking painkillers into country
The family of the jailed 33-year-old voice fears for her
welfare after she is found carrying prescription drugs in her suitcase.
A British woman detained after flying into Egypt with
painkillers for her husband's bad back has been told she could face the death
penalty for drug trafficking.
Laura Plummer is being held in an Egyptian jail following her
arrest
Laura Plummer was arrested on 9 October after the authorities
found she was carrying prescription drugs tramadol and naproxen in her
suitcase.
The 33-year-old from Hull is said to have been taking 29
strips of the medication to her Egyptian husband Omar, also 33, who has
suffered from back pain since an accident.
Laura and Omar met four years ago and she flies to Egypt four
times a year to visit him.
On this occasion, they had planned to enjoy a two-week
holiday at a beach resort when Laura was arrested.
Laura's mother Roberta, 63, and Laura's sisters, Rachel, 31,
and Jayne, 40, have all visited Laura, who is due back in court on Thursday.
Laura's mother told The Sun: "We've been told she's
facing either 25 years in prison or the death penalty. We're beside ourselves
worrying that they'll make an example of her."
Her sister, Rachel, says Laura is accused of drug
trafficking.
She told Sky News: "It's tramadol, to me that's only a
painkiller I've taken for a migraine before, to the Egyptians it's equivalent
to heroin. It's unbelievable.
"But a drug trafficker to me is a million-pound hidden
smuggle, not this. She didn't hide them... they were for no profit as they are
worth £23."
She says Laura took the painkillers to Egypt for private use,
and not to make any money.
"She also had ibuprofen," says Rachel.
Tramadol is only sold on prescription in the UK and is used
to treat moderate to severe pain.
It is understood Laura's charges relate to the possession of
the tramadol, which is illegal in Egypt, and not the naproxen, which her sister
says is not illegal.
Naproxen is also a prescription drug that is used to treat
inflammation in joints and muscles.
"She is the last person to deserve this, she is guilty
of her own stupidity, not for drug trafficking," says Rachel.
"The treatment she's receiving in Hurghada prison is
beyond disgusting, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is supporting a British
woman and her family following her detention in Egypt.
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