Egypt detains UK woman over painkillers

A woman accused of smuggling hundreds of prescription painkillers into Egypt has been referred for trial at a criminal court and must remain in custody until her case is heard. The Guardian reports that Laura Plummer is accused of illegally taking 300 tramadol tablets into Eygpt where the prescription painkillers are a controlled substance. She claimed she had ‘no idea’ the opioids were banned in the country and insists she was bringing the painkillers to her partner who was suffering from back pain. Her doctor, Karl Turner, said her partner has provided evidence to show that he did indeed suffer from back pain. ‘Tramadol is a controlled class C drug in the UK, and is banned entirely in Egypt because it’s a recreation drug of choice … they are desperate to stamp it out,’ Turner added.