Millions worth of cocaine stashed away on an Instragrammable international voyage…what could possibly go wrong? A Canadian woman sentenced for trafficking 200 pounds of cocaine on a cruise is looking at some serious jail time. In 2016, Australian police apprehended Melina Roberge, known as ‘Cocaine babe’, after she chronicled her vacation on Instagram. Here’s a closer look at Cocaine babe’s infamous voyage Down Under and the judge’s final verdict.
Pics Or It Didn’t Happen
Australian Border Force
Melina Roberge embarked on the journey of a lifetime from New York City. During that week aboard the MS Sea Princess, Roberge and her accomplice, former porn star Isabelle Lagace, posted photos of the 11 countries and 17 ports the cruise ship visited, according to Time. From Irish coffee to swimming in crystal clear water to tribal tattoos, the trip seemed to be going smoothly (and photogenically) for the smugglers.
According to the Washington Post, Roberge also shared some classic social media wisdom: “Traveling is one thing. But traveling with an open mind, ready to taste everything, see everything, learn everything and get yourself out of your comfort zone … is probably the best therapy and lesson ever.”
It doesn’t look like Roberge won’t be traveling much for the next few years, unless you count deportation back to Canada.
On the 51st day of the 68-day trip, border agents from Syndey searched the women’s cabin. What they found inspired headlines everywhere: 209 pounds of cocaine worth 30.5 million Australian dollars.
According to the Australian Border Force, the travelers “did not have much room for clean underwear or spare toothbrushes.”
Cocaine Babe Was Recruited By Her Sugar Daddy
But only 77 pounds of the cocaine was packed amongst Roberge