A prominent British social media influencer and beauty business owner has been warned she faces a significant prison sentence after attempting to smuggle more than £150,000 (RM840,000) worth of cannabis through a UK airport.
Ellie Crampsie, 23, was intercepted by Border Force officers at Edinburgh Airport on April 16 last year while returning from an exotic holiday in Thailand via Paris. During a search of her luggage, officials uncovered 17 vacuum-sealed packages containing 17.7kg of the Class B drug, with a total street value estimated between £115,000 and £151,000 (RM644,000 to RM845,000).
Crampsie, a well-known figure in Glasgow’s nightlife and events scene, operates her own beauty brand, Brows by Ellie, and has built a strong presence promoting numerous labels online. Appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, March 26, she pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug to others. The prosecution, led by Emma Laing, informed the court that the illicit haul was discovered after Crampsie was stopped for routine questioning upon her arrival in the Scottish capital.
During the proceedings, defense solicitor Mr. Hodge noted that his client is currently single and has the full support of her parents, who attended the court hearing. The lawyer requested that Crampsie’s bail be maintained while a social work report is compiled, describing her prior criminal record as “unremarkable” in the context of the current offense. Despite the request for bail, the court emphasized the severity of the charges involving such a large quantity of narcotics.
Sheriff Graeme Watson adjourned the sentencing to allow for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment. While he allowed Crampsie to remain on bail in the interim, he issued a stern warning that she should not view this as an indication of a lenient outcome. The Sheriff stated that all sentencing options, including imprisonment, remain on the table for her next court appearance. The case marks a significant fall from grace for the young entrepreneur as she now awaits a final judgment that could see her professional career halted by a custodial sentence.
