Isabelle Lagace and Melina Roberge (pictured above) were known for sharing their alleged drug-smuggling journey on Instagram – and ended up labeled as “the worst cocaine smugglers of all time.”
Melina pleaded guilty in February to helping smuggle 209 pounds of cocaine in suitcases aboard a seven-week cruise ship. She was sentenced to spend eight years in an Australian prison for her crimes.
via Complex:
She admitted to the court that she agreed to smuggle the drugs in exchange for the $17,000 cruise vacation she couldn’t afford, where she would be able to take selfies “in exotic locations and post them on Instagram to receive likes and attention.” She called herself a “stupid young woman” who was taking orders from her Canadian “sugar daddy,” who she declined to identify. Her prison sentence includes a non-parole period of four years and nine months in prison, after which she will likely be deported to Canada.
Roberge was also offered $5,000 in spending money to take part in the crime, and was promised more once she came home. But the judge saw that as a “decoy role” according to Rolling Stone. “[She was] there to look pretty,” the judge said.
“[Roberge] was seduced by lifestyle and the opportunity to post glamorous Instagram photos from around the world,” Judge Kate Traill said while handing down her sentence. “She wanted to be the envy of others. I doubt she is now.”
The judge also said the crime was a “very sad indictment” of the social media generation who “seek to attain such a vacuous existence where how many ‘likes’ they receive are their currency.”
Roberge’s fellow smuggler, Lagacé, was sentenced back in November to seven years in prison. She will also be deported to Canada after serving a non-parole period of four years.
The third person involved, Mr. Tamine, will be sentenced in October.
This is what happens when flexing for the ‘gram goes too far.
