Leandra Royer thought a quick trip to Europe would solve her rent problems. Instead, the aspiring model found herself arrested in Manchester, England, and later sentenced to over a decade in prison. This whole situation is a stark reminder that quick cash schemes often come with incredibly high stakes. According to Newsweek, Royer, a 26-year-old from Queens, New York, flew to Manchester from Los Angeles, believing she was just picking up a suitcase. After sharing her story on TikTok, she openly admits, “I am not proud of what I did. I regret it a lot.” The whole chain of events kicked off when a “friend of a friend” reached out on social media, pitching what sounded like a sweet business opportunity. Royer recalls him saying, “all you have to do is fly to England and pick up a suitcase.” He even tried to reassure her by claiming the bags wouldn’t be in her name, so nothing would trace back to her. They even boasted about knowing people at the airport who could smooth things over with security. I don’t know how she didn’t see any of this as problematic At the time, Royer was really with a hefty $2,800 rent bill. The offer of around $2,500 seemed like a lifeline. Additionally, it was an all-expenses-paid three-day trip from LA, with a stop in Düsseldorf, Germany, and payment promised upon her return to the States. “I thought this will pay my rent,” she explained. The cruel irony? She never even got the payment in the end. The operation went south fast. Royer and six other Americans, one of whom she shared an apartment with, were supposed to collect 12 bags after landing at Manchester Airport. However, when one of the bags went through an X-ray machine, it triggered an immediate alert. Authorities quickly discovered that those 12 bags weren’t just luggage; they contained over 300 kg of cocaine. @ ♬ – Royer was handed a sentence of 11 years and 8 months for evading the prohibition of the importation of a Class A controlled drug. However, thanks to the expansion of legislation in the UK, she was deported in December 2025, after serving 19 months of her sentence. What was a move to free up prison space and save money for the government was her way home. She may be banned from the UK for life, but she now has a new outlook. Royer stated that she is sharing her story, not to make light of the situation, but to explain that “quick money isn’t worth it.” She admitted she didn’t ask what was in the suitcases because she “genuinely didn’t care,” thinking it would just “eat up her conscience” if she found out it was “something bad.” @omgleandruh Imma start reading my prison diary entries. I’m so nervous #diary #prison #hmp #uk #jail ♬ original sound – OmgLeandruh Royer ended up with severe consequences for not asking basic questions and shared her story as a cautionary tale. TikTok has yielded a few of those, from videos warning of an Alpine Divorce, to a woman who shared the story of a lawsuit that is threatening her business.