Convicted cocaine smuggler Melina Roberge dreamed of Instagram likes in exotic locations
Melina Roberge, 24, broke down in tears Wednesday when the Sydney court handed down the sentence, which includes a non-parole period of 4 years and 9 months in prison.
In handing down her sentence, Judge Kate Traill accepted Roberge's "genuine contrition and remorse" and noted the Canadian had a very good chance of rehabilitation.
"It is sad they seek to obtain such a vacuous existence where how many likes they receive is their currency".
Judge Traill said Roberge had been "seduced by lifestyle and the opportunity to post glamorous Instagram photos", along with the potential financial windfall she stood to make as a result of the trafficking ploy.
"This highlights the negative influence of social media on young women such as the offender".
In sentencing Roberge, Judge Traill said the lure of Instagram likes had a huge impact on the 24-year-old's decision making.
Judge Traill said the then 22-year-old was "there to look pretty", acting as a decoy to the seedy drug business below deck.
During her trial, Roberge claimed the cruise was one of her rewards for smuggling drugs that were part of a $21 million cocaine plot.
She and travel partner Lagace made global headlines with the Instagram photos of themselves in bikinis at exotic stops en route to Sydney.
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Roberge, Lagacé and André Tamine, a 65-year-old Montreal man, were all arrested upon arriving in Australia on August 28, 2016.
News.com.au revealed exclusively that Roberge was pimped by "my sugar daddy" with unusual men at nightclubs prior to taking the fateful drug cruise. I doubt she is now the envy of others.
Roberge and Lagace were flown first class to the United Kingdom to join the cruise ship and act as the glamorous foil for the real business of the drug importation.
The two were reportedly given first-class cruise tickets worth $20,000, plus about $5,000 in spending money.
The Sea Princess vessel made stops in Ireland, the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and South American countries, including Colombia and Peru, during a seven-week journey, the report said.
The judge said Roberge was also motivated by profit.
During her sentencing hearing last month, Roberge cried while telling the court she chose to go on the trip without thinking about the consequences.
Roberge had regretted her actions since her arrest and incarceration in different maximum security Sydney women's prisons, the Post reported. She even apologized to the people of Australia because she realized that what she was doing was likely feeding addictions and causing more problems.
"Occasionally, when we would attend nightclubs together, he would introduce me to some of his friends, and if I was interested I would spend time with some of these men".
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