British woman arrested in Egypt for carrying painkillers

British woman Laura Plummer was detained after flying into Egypt with painkillers for her husband’s bad back.

Plummer’s family fear for her welfare after she was arrested and told she could face the death penalty for drug trafficking.

The 33-year-old from Hull was arrested on 9 October after the authorities found the prescription drugs tramadol and naproxen in her suitcase.

She is said to have been taking 29 strips of the medication to her Egyptian husband Omar, also 33, who has suffered from back pain since an accident.

Plummer signed a 38-page statement in Arabic which she thought would mean she would be able to leave the airport. Instead, she has been held in a 15ft by 15ft cell with 25 other women for nearly a month.

Laura met her husband four years ago and flew to Egypt four times a year to visit him. On this trip, Laura was planning to enjoy a two-week holiday with her husband at a beach resort.

Laura's mother Roberta, 63, and Laura's sisters, Rachel, 31, and Jayne, 40, have all visited Laura, who is due back in court on Thursday.

Laura Plummer with her sisters Rachel Plummer and Jayne Synclair (photo:Facebook)

Laura's mother told The Sun: "We've been told she's facing either 25 years in prison or the death penalty. We're beside ourselves worrying that they'll make an example of her."

"It's tramadol, to me that's only a painkiller I've taken for a migraine before, to the Egyptians it's equivalent to heroin. It's unbelievable,” Laura’s sister, Rachel said.

Tramadol is only sold on prescription in the UK and is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

It is understood Laura's charges relate to the possession of the tramadol, which is illegal in Egypt, and not the naproxen, which is not illegal. Naproxen is also a prescription drug that is used to treat inflammation in joints and muscles.

"She is the last person to deserve this, she is guilty of her own stupidity, not for drug trafficking," says Rachel.

"The treatment she's receiving in Hurghada prison is beyond disgusting, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

The Foreign Office confirmed it is offering support to a British woman and her family following her detention in Egypt.