Manchester, UK – In a shocking twist, reality TV star and influencer Olga Bednarska, 27, has been spared prison time after being arrested for attempting to smuggle 40kg of cannabis into the UK. Bednarska, who rose to fame on the Netflix series Too Hot to Handle, was caught by customs officers at Manchester Airport in October, with two large suitcases containing the drugs hidden beneath designer clothing and watches.
The incident, reported by The Sun, has sent ripples through the influencer community, as Bednarska’s glamorous life of social media stardom collided with a dark turn of events. According to the court proceedings, the influencer had been recruited by a man named “Tex” to transport the drugs. Tex allegedly funded her flight and offered her an all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand in exchange for bringing back luxury items such as clothes and watches, but unbeknownst to her, the bags contained cannabis.
Bednarska was arrested on October 20, 2024, after she flew back to Manchester from Phuket, Thailand. When stopped by Border Force officials, she initially claimed that she had packed the bags herself, but later admitted that she had been given them at the airport. When asked to open the suitcases, she was unable to provide the code to unlock them.
Once the suitcases were opened by authorities, vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis were found concealed beneath layers of clothing and luxury goods. The total weight of the drugs was 39.4kg, valued at an estimated £157,600.
During her trial, it was revealed that Bednarska had been struggling financially, accumulating a debt of £16,000 as she tried to maintain her lavish lifestyle. The court heard that she had “lived beyond her means” and turned to illegal activities to clear her debts. She agreed to take part in the scheme, which promised her £18,000 in exchange for smuggling designer goods and drugs.
Samuel Eskdale, the prosecutor, stated that Bednarska had been given “spending money” for her trip to Thailand and had purchased the suitcases herself, under the direction of Tex’s associate. She was told to provide “cover-up” items for the drugs and was not supposed to play any further role in the operation.
Judge John Potter, who presided over the case, said that while Bednarska’s actions had contributed to the harm caused by drug trafficking, he recognized that she was under the influence of others. He acknowledged that Bednarska had been “acting under the direction of others, potentially for further profit,” but emphasized the serious consequences of smuggling drugs into the country.
“The harm that wholesale value drugs have on our communities when they are sold for profit is significant,” Judge Potter said. “You have directly contributed to this by agreeing to do what you did.”
Bednarska, who wept in court, was handed a 20-month prison sentence, but it was suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements. The judge noted that she had shown remorse and had not previously been involved in criminal activity.
Originally from Poland, Bednarska had made a name for herself in the UK as a social media influencer and a contestant on the popular Netflix reality series Too Hot to Handle. Her appearance on the show in 2021 gained her a significant following, with many fans admiring her glamorous lifestyle and social media presence.
However, this arrest has thrown her life into turmoil. Bednarska had been living in Manchester prior to her arrest, and her social media accounts have since gone silent, with many of her followers expressing shock and disappointment over the turn of events.
Her arrest and conviction have raised questions about the pressure faced by influencers to maintain a certain image and lifestyle, which, in Bednarska’s case, seems to have led her down a dangerous path.
Bednarska’s case serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with engaging in illegal activities, particularly when driven by financial pressures or the desire for fame and fortune. While she may have been spared jail time, her actions have irrevocably changed the trajectory of her life, and her story now serves as a cautionary tale for other influencers who may be tempted to cross ethical or legal lines.
As for Bednarska, the suspended sentence marks a moment of reckoning for the influencer, who will now have to face the consequences of her actions while attempting to rebuild her life and reputation.
The question remains: will this be the end of Olga Bednarska’s influencer career, or will she attempt to rebuild her image after serving her sentence and fulfilling her rehabilitation requirements? Only time will tell.
