British woman sentenced in Egypt to three years in jail for smuggling painkillers

An Egyptian court today sentenced a British woman to three years in prison for smuggling painkillers into the country, a Reuters witness said.

Laura Plummer, a 33-year-old shop worker from Hull, was arrested in October after Tramadol tablets were found in her suitcase. Her family told British newspapers she bought the tablets for her Egyptian partner living in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

Plummer attended a hearing in her case on Monday, before today’s sentencing.

Tramadol is a prescription medicine in Britain but it is banned in Egypt.

Plummer was arrested upon arrival from Britain in October, and her detention was extended twice prior to her court appearance.

Her lawyer could not immediately be reached for comment.

There was no immediate from the British foreign office in London.