British Mother Claims 'Set Up' After Cambodian Drug Bust

Tamara Martins, a 31-year-old mother from Croydon, is facing a potential 20-year prison sentence in Cambodia after being apprehended at Techo Airport with 34.5 kilograms of cannabis in her luggage. Martins claims she was the victim of a setup, stating that a man in a bar had asked her to transport a suitcase filled with electronics to the UK for a fee.

According to her younger brother, Trey, Martins was unaware of the drugs' presence until she was stopped by authorities, who discovered 71 packages of marijuana concealed within her cases. Cambodia enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy on drug offenses, with potential life sentences for trafficking charges.

Trey, who is now caring for Martins' 10-year-old daughter in London and seeking legal assistance for his sister, expressed shock, noting that Martins has no prior drug-related offenses. "She's never been arrested for anything to do with drugs and she's never been involved in that sort of stuff," he stated.

Initially, Martins was held at a tourist detention center where she could communicate with her brother and reported that officers were treating her kindly. However, after being transferred to CC2 women's prison, her phone was confiscated, and conditions reportedly deteriorated significantly. In a letter to Trey, Martins described the prison as "hell," detailing difficulties with sleeping and eating, and expressing despair about her situation.

She is reportedly held in a cell with over 66 other individuals, many of whom sleep on the floor due to a lack of bunk beds. Martins has also expressed concerns about sharing accommodations with inmates suffering from illnesses such as HIV. She has requested financial support for necessities like food, clothing, and sanitary products, stating that life in prison is dire without money.

The separation from her daughter has been particularly difficult for Martins. Trey has chosen not to tell the child the truth about her mother's arrest, instead informing her that Martins is temporarily unreachable. "She's calm. I've told her, 'Your mum's all right. She's good. Don't worry about it. She's doing the best she can'," he said.

Martins is among an increasing number of Britons detained in Southeast Asia, often allegedly recruited as drug mules. Such individuals are reportedly lured by gangs and incentivized to transport luggage for a fee without knowledge of its contents. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty has previously warned of severe consequences for those caught in such situations abroad.

Research commissioned by the Foreign Office indicates that a significant portion of young Britons do not perceive traveling with luggage packed by others as a risk. Prisoners Abroad, an organization supporting Britons detained abroad, reported a rise in cases linked to drug arrests, with a notable increase in the number of women and individuals under 35 being arrested for drug offenses. Last year, new cases of women in prison increased by 82 percent, with 61 percent of them detained for drug-related offenses.

Trey has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover his sister's legal expenses. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed they are providing support to a British national detained in Cambodia and are in contact with local authorities.