UK cops launch investigation into how Egypt jail hell Brit Laura Plummer got pills from friend
COPS have tonight launched a probe into how Egypt jail hell Brit Laura Plummer obtained the painkillers at the centre of her ordeal.
Terrified Laura, 33, was sentenced to three years on Boxing Day for carrying 290 tramadol tablets in her suitcase at the start of a two-week hol to Egypt.
[bc_video video_id="5705741074001" account_id="5067014667001" player_id="default" embed="in-page" caption="Brit Pete Farmer on how he was locked up in cockroach infested jail in Egypt like Laura Plummer "]
She told prosecutors she was given the pills by work pal Donna Irvin, 53, who offered to help after hearing about her husband Omar's bad back.
Detectives are now investigating Irvin's involvement.
It is illegal in the UK to give away or sell prescription medicines, including tramadol, and can lead to a prison sentence ranging from 14 years to life.
Last night, Laura's family said they recovered prescription boxes belonging to Irvin from her suitcase shortly after she was arrested.
Laura also named Irvin in a statement she gave prosecutors in the hours after she was stopped by customs officials.
Sources say the Humberside police investigation is at an "early stage".
Detective Inspector Jon Cross said: "Following the arrest and subsequent conviction of Laura Plummer we are looking into the circumstance of how the prescription drugs came to be in her possession and if any further individual has committed any offences.
"This investigation is still ongoing and if you have any information you believe could assist us in this inquiry please call 101."
Irvin has refused to comment.
Her brother Kym Stark, 65, said his sister had done nothing wrong - but admitted she gave Laura the tramadol.
He added: "Donna is on these pills all the time. She has been on painkillers since she was a little girl and had a massive back operation recently.
"Donna was just trying to do a friend a favour."
Laura's florist sister, Jayne Synclair, 40, said: "We asked her to help at the very start and she said she would - so long as she didn't get into trouble.
"She was meant to meet us at a solicitors the following day but backed out and never showed.
"She is desperate to save her own skin and will say anything to do so."
Shop worker Laura, of Hull, East Yorks., was seized as she flew into Hurghada airport on Egypt's Red Sea coast in October and has been behind bars ever since.
She has now been moved to hellhole Al Qanater to begin her three year jail term and is locked up for 24 hours a day in a 3m by 5m cockroach-infested cell.
Books and radios are banned and inmates are regularly subjected to humiliating strip searches and body inspections.
Laura, who must also wear an all-white dress, has not been seen or spoken to since December 27.
Family are allowed to visit inmates at Al Qanater but can only do so at 15-day intervals and for only 15 minutes at a time.
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Its conditions have previously been slammed by human rights experts.
Her sister Rachel Plummer, 31, said: "For someone who is innocent three years is a life time.
"I have no idea how she will cope in prison. I wouldn't be able to cope and I consider myself a stronger person than Laura.
"I'm so scared for her. It's the not knowing that is killing us. Not knowing who she is with and how she is being treated.
"That's what is hurting the most - and not be able to speak to her."
Last night, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We continue to provide assistance to Laura and her family, and our embassy remains in regular contact with the Egyptian authorities."