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Quebec woman pleads guilty in Australian cocaine smuggling case

Melina Roberge is one of three Quebecers arrested in 2016 after sniffer dogs found 95 kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases when the cruise ship MS Sea Princess arrived in Sydney. She could face a life sentence.

Melina Roberge 1 of 3 Quebecers arrested after 95 kg of cocaine found in suitcases on MS Sea Princess

Mélina Roberge and Isabelle Lagacé were arrested in Australia in August 2016. (Instagram)

A 24-year-old woman who was one of three Quebecers charged with smuggling drugs into Australia has pleaded guilty to importing cocaine in commercial quantities.

Melina Roberge pleaded guilty in a Sydney court on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the New South Wales District Court, and is due back in court for sentencing on March 23.

Under Australian law, the crime could result in a life sentence.

Roberge, Isabelle Lagacé, 30, and André Tamine, 64, were arrested on Aug. 29, 2016 after the cruise ship MS Sea Princess arrived in Sydney.

Australian authorities using sniffer dogs found 95 kilograms of cocaine in their suitcases worth an estimated $30.5 million.

Tamine also pleaded guilty a week ago and will be sentenced on Oct. 26. Lagacé was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison last November.