The cash was discovered “further hidden inside her body.”
As reported by The Evening Standard of London, a British university student is facing charges of funding terrorist activities after being busted with a small fortune found stashed away in her knickers. Yet Nawal Msaad looks more like a high fashion model than an Islamist money mule.
The comely 27-year-old London Metropolitan University student was taken into custody at Heathrow Airport earlier this year after €20,000 (£15,800/$27,273) was discovered by police. The tightly rolled wad of cash was initially wrapped in cellophane, then secreted into a condom. Reportedly, other than the cellophane and prophylactic treatment, the 38 €500 notes, four €200 and the remaining two €100 euros were “further hidden inside her body.”
Msaad appeared before the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales (aka Old Bailey), where prosecutors claimed she is a “trusted courier” for her friend and co-defendant Amal El-Wahabi, also 27 years old. Prosecutor Mark Dennis told the court that Msaad was attempting to board a flight to Istanbul, where she was to hand the cash off to El-Wahabi’s husband, Aine Davis. It was reportedly slated to be used to fund the Syrian “jihadist cause.” Originally from the former-British colony of Gambia, Davis converted to Islam seven years ago and subsequently has taken the Muslim name of “Hamza.”
Already dubbed at various social media outlets a “Jihottie” — a neologism made up of jihad and hottie — undoubtedly because of her striking good looks, Msaad’s legal problems stem from her inability to stop talking. While being processed at one of Heathrow’s many security/customs checkpoints, the accused terrorist enabler volunteered the information to police that she had 20,000 euros “around me” ostensibly to purchase gold for her mum.
It was then that the law enforcement officials took Msaad into a private room where she handed off to officers the banknotes that exited her body but remained in her underwear. Both Msaad and El-Wahabi have entered a plea of not guilty on all charges. The trial continues.
