Back in 2016, the world looked on and laughed as three Canadian drug smugglers, 22-year-old Melina Roberge, 28-year-old Isabelle Lagacé, and 63-year-old André Tamine, were caught attempting to smuggle over 200 pounds of cocaine into Australia while on an expensive seven week cruise. The kicker was that the two girls who were charged were your typical Instagram girls, taking selfies and documenting their entire trip online. The drugs were found sitting in their suitcases, underneath some towels.
Now, according to Complex, one of girls, Roberge, has been sentenced to eight years in an Australian prison. Roberge admitted that she agreed to smuggle the cocaine in exchange for her cruise ticket, which had a value of $17,000, as well as some money when she returned to Canada.
The judge acknowledged how her chasing Instagram clout could tempt her into a life of crime. During sentencing, Judge Kate Traill stated, "[Roberge] 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."
In Roberge's affivadit she expressed her remorse for what she did, calling herself a "stupid young woman," who was manipulated into her actions by a wealthy sugar daddy back home.
Roberge's sentence will include a non-parole period of four years and nine months, after which she will likely be deported back to Canada. Roberge's partner in crime, Lagacé, was sentenced to seven years in prison back in November, and Tamine is reported to be sentenced in October.
