Kelowna woman sentenced for trying to smuggle 35 kg of cocaine into Canada

KELOWNA – A 27-year-old Kelowna woman was sentenced to more than six years in jail for trying to smuggle 35 kilograms of cocaine into Canada from the United States, according to Global Okanagan.

Caitlin Gladdish was arrested at the Waneta border crossing near Trail in July last year. Her Volkswagen Jetta had been outfitted with an elaborate hidden compartment that used small electric motors to raise and lower the cover.

At a press conference, police and border service agents estimated the value to be almost $2 million.

Provincial court judge James Threlfall said Gladdish had previously crossed the border five times and suggested it was more than a spur of the moment decision, according to Global Okanagan.

Court heard Tuesday, Oct. 13 that Gladdish, who pleaded guilty, was planning to park the car at a hotel in Spokane, go shopping, and cross the border only minutes before it closed.

Gladdish has no criminal history.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.