Drug smuggler known as 'Cocaine Babe' on social media gets 8 years in prison

A woman who lived a glamorous life on Instagram and was dubbed “cocaine babe” by the New York Post, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for smuggling over 200 pounds of drugs on a cruise ship. The drug seizure was the largest in Australia’s history.

Page Six reports that 24-year-old Melina Roberge wept silently as she received a tougher sentencing than her co-defendant 30-year-old former porn star Isabelle Lagace.

Roberge was one of three Canadians accused of importing $16 million worth of cocaine on the luxury cruise ship, Sea Princess, during a trip to Sydney, Australia.

Her indulgent posts to Instagram caused a media firestorm. The judge called her motivation to earn "likes" on social media "vacuous." The judge added, "She was seduced by lifestyle and the opportunity to post glamorous Instagram photos from around the world. She wanted to be the envy of others. I doubt she is now."

The judge also said the defendant had been in a sexual relationship with a 64-year-old so-called sugar daddy who recruited her and offered her the opportunity to act as a glamorous decoy for the smuggling that was adoot. According to the BBC, the judge says she believes Roberge is genuinely remorseful and has a good chance of rehabilitation.

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