Karyn Smith, along with her friend Patricia Cahill, was arrested in Thailand in 1990 for attempting to smuggle heroin. They were both convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms but were eventually released early and returned to the UK.
In 1990, Karyn Smith, a British national, was arrested at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport along with Patricia Cahill. The two women were caught attempting to smuggle 32.5 kilograms of heroin, which was concealed in their luggage, out of Thailand. The drugs were discovered by Thai customs officials, leading to their immediate arrest.
The case quickly gained media attention due to the severity of the crime and the harsh penalties associated with drug trafficking in Thailand. Smith, who was 21 years old at the time, and Cahill, who was 17, faced the possibility of the death penalty, as drug smuggling is considered a grave offense in Thailand. However, their sentences were later commuted to lengthy prison terms; Smith received 25 years, while Cahill was given 18 years.
The British government, along with various human rights organizations, campaigned for their release, arguing that the women had been duped into carrying the drugs by a Nigerian syndicate and were unaware of the contents of their luggage. After serving about four years of their sentences, both Smith and Cahill were granted a royal pardon by the King of Thailand in 1993 as part of a traditional clemency granted on his birthday.
Following their release, Smith and Cahill returned to the UK. The experience had a profound impact on their lives, and they have since kept a low profile. The case remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of unwittingly becoming involved in drug trafficking and the severe consequences that can follow.