'Instagram tourists' in £17.5m cocaine bust
Two Canadian women accused of stashing 77lbs of drugs in their luggage - and other tall tales

Our pick of the strange stories from around the world.
'Instagram tourists' arrested in Sydney
Two holidaymakers who were documenting a seven-week luxury world cruise on Instagram have been arrested in Australia with an alleged 77lbs of cocaine stashed in their luggage. Canadians Melina Roberge, 23, and Isabelle Lagace, 28, (pictured above) attracted more than 12,000 followers on their social media accounts with a series of posts about their travels. They were arrested when the cruise docked in Sydney, along with fellow Canadian Andre Tamine, 63, who allegedly had a further 132lbs of cocaine in his cabin. The trio could face life in prison if found guilty. The drugs are worth a total of £17.5m.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Brawl breaks out on nude beach
Nude bathers at La Teste-de-Buch, in Arcachon, France, were involved in a mass brawl after ten youths refused to remove their clothes. The group was accused of walking through the nudist area simply to stare at women and a fight broke out involving up to 20 people. Two of the young people were arrested.
Death penalty for 'slouching' politician
North Korea has executed a senior political figure for sitting in a "disrespectful" position during a session of parliament in Pyongyang, according to an unnamed South Korean official. Kim Yong-jin, who was in charge of education, is said to have been denounced by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his bad posture and taken for interrogation, where he was reportedly found to be an "anti-party, anti-revolutionary agitator", leading to his execution.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
What does the Le Pen verdict mean for the future of French politics?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Convicted of embezzlement and slapped with a five year ban on running for public office, where does arch-conservative Marine Le Pen go from here — and will the movement she leads follow?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
Ukraine captures first North Korean soldiers
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted videos of the men captured in Russia's Kursk region
By Peter Weber, The Week US