A KIM Kardashian lookalike who is accused of trying to fly to Dubai with nearly £2million in cash stashed in five suitcases is “no criminal”, her gran said today.

Tara Hanlon, 30, was stopped by Border Force officials at Heathrow after they discovered hundreds of cash rolls in luggage – their biggest single money haul this year.

But her gran, Maureen Downs, insisted she has a “heart of gold” and has “never, ever been in trouble”.

The 80-year-old told MailOnline: “I know my granddaughter and she would never do anything like what she is accused of. She has a heart of gold.

“She is a lovely girl and she had never, ever been in in trouble.”

Maureen also revealed that her granddaughter underwent cosmetic surgery to look like her idol Kim Kardashian.

'INNOCENT'

Tara, who had just told pals she had landed a new PR job in London after working in recruitment, could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted of money laundering.

Her gran added: “She was into partying. She liked a bit of glamour did Tara.

“She wanted to look like that Kardashian woman and she had her lips done like her.”

But Maureen said Tara was hard-working and was devastated following the loss of her mum Angela in March this year.

I know my granddaughter and she would never do anything like what she is accused of. She has a heart of gold."

She added: “This has knocked us completely out. It has come from the blue. It really has.”

Tara had worked as operations manager at international recruitment firm Goodall Brazier which recorded sales of £2million in 2017.

The company said: “This is an ongoing police investigation therefore it is not appropriate for us to comment at this time.”

Neighbours in Leeds said she threw a 30th birthday last month and sent a polite note in advance to apologise for any potential loud music and even invited them over.

KIM K FAN

One said: “She wasn't your typical girl next door as she wore a fair bit of make-up and liked to live a party life.

“When I heard about what had happened to her, I could not believe it and kept thinking there had been a mistake.”

Hanlon was charged with money laundering and appeared before Uxbridge magistrates.

She was remanded in custody until November 5 when she will appear at Isleworth crown court.

Chris Philp, minister for immigration compliance and the courts, said: “This is the largest individual cash seizure at the border so far in 2020 and I am delighted with the efforts of Border Force officers.

“Preventing the export of undeclared cash from the UK is a vital step in clamping down on organised criminal gangs.”

A 28-year-old woman, from Doncaster, was arrested at the same time and released under investigation.

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