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Jessica Zeisig apparently thought she had the perfect life.

She was young, had devoted parents who “babied” her and almost always got what she wanted — to the point she often thought others were jealous, according to court documents. She was vice-president of student council at her high school and she received medals and awards in both academics and sports. When she graduated with honours from high school, an entrance scholarship to the University of Ottawa in the arts program awaited.

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It wasn’t until Zeisig quit university after a year to “have some fun” and ran up a $2,000 credit card debt that a co-worker at the ByWard Market fast-food restaurant where she worked told her about a chance to visit the Caribbean and earn some money.

It was with that promise of $1,000 cash and a free trip to St. Lucia that Zeisig’s life took a decidedly different turn.

Last week, the 22-year-old who grew up in the tiny community of Lunenburg, Ont., was sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison for importing nearly two kilograms of cocaine into Toronto’s Pearson Airport on April 19, 2011. The drugs — which had an estimated street value of between $68,000 and $216,000 — were packed into two suitcases the then-20-year-old had carried back with her from her trip to the tiny island nation.