The father of an alleged drug mule who faces 60 YEARS in US prison for ‘attempting to smuggle £3.5m worth of cocaine’ says he is ‘guilty of nothing but stupidity’

A British beautician faces 60 years in prison in the US for smuggling £3.5 million worth of cocaine in her suitcases.

Kim Hall, 28, from Middlesbrough, was detained at Chicago O’Hare Airport as she prepared to board a connecting flight to Manchester.

Investigators from the Department of Homeland Security found 43 kilograms of cocaine packed in two suitcases. before stopping the beautician.

She claims she was coerced by two men forced to smuggle drugs after he offered her a free trip to Cancun and then threatened her upon arrival.

Her father, John Hall, 59, defended her, saying the only thing she was guilty of was “stupidity and naivety”.

Kim Hall, 28, from Middlesbrough, was detained at Chicago O’Hare Airport as she prepared to board a connecting flight to Manchester

Before they detained the beautician, Homeland Security investigators found 43 kilograms of cocaine packed in two suitcases

Her father, John Hall, 59, defended her, saying the only thing she was guilty of was “stupidity and naivety”.

He told The Sun: “She is not a drug smuggler. She was told it would be money she had with her.

“They took her phone and threatened her family, that’s why she did it.

“She was in Portugal with a friend and met people there who contacted her when she returned, saying they were interested in real estate in Mexico and that she could go on a free vacation.”

He added that she was “terrified” after she told him that “you don’t understand what they threatened me with.”

Kim was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a child following her arrest in August.

She claims she was coerced by two men forced to smuggle drugs after he offered her a free trip to Cancun and then threatened her upon arrival

After several preliminary hearings in Cook County Circuit Court, she remains awaiting trial in Chicago

Due to the amount of drugs seized, this crime is in the highest sentencing range, with a Class X felony punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison.

After several preliminary hearings in Cook County Circuit Court, she remains awaiting trial in Chicago.

Her family had to spend £28,000 on a local lawyer because the trial could take place in a year.

A spokeswoman for the Cook County Courthouse said: “Her next court appearance will be November 13.”