A 17-year old from Britain was arrested for allegedly smuggling 30 lbs of cocaine into Florida. It is alleged that she attempted to smuggle the cocaine in boxes of cake mix. She faces charges of trafficking of a controlled substance. The suspect has turned 18 since her arrest. The fact that she may be charged as an adult also means that she could be facing a 15-year prison sentence.

The teenager claims that she did not know what kind of drug she was transporting, but she did indicate that she knew she was engaged in an illegal activity. Police feel that she was a "drug mule" who thought she would be able to deliver the drugs without detection.

It's quite rare for individuals attempting to transport such a large amount of narcotics through an airport. The fact that it involved an 18-year old student makes this type of arrest even more unusual. Those that would actually profit from the potential sales of the drugs likely were exposing the teenager to arrest in the United States.

It's obvious that an individual in such a situation will require competent legal counsel from an attorney experienced in defending those accused of drug trafficking and arrests. This individual is not a citizen of the United States, probably confused and susceptible to being used by others, and likely has no other resources available for her legal defense. Whether she is or is not guilty of what she has been accused, sentencing her to 15-years in prison would not be in the best interests of practically anyone.

Teenagers involved in drug trafficking are often confused young people badly in need of legal and emotional counseling. They're often vulnerable and dealing with issues such as depression or even substance abuse. These individuals need our assistance.

Source: The Telegraph, "British teenager caught smuggling 30 lbs of cocaine into America," by Paul Thompson, Oct. 27, 2011