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Mary Berry reveals she was once ARRESTED on suspicion of drug trafficking in the US after packing a bag of flour in her suitcase

The 83-year-old was put in a cell during her terrifying ordeal when her innocent ingredient got confused for something else

MARY Berry has revealed she was once arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in the US – after packing flour in her suitcase.

The 83-year-old opened up about her shocking brush with the law during an appearance on the Graham Norton show – admitting the experience was “alarming”.

 Mary Berry revealed she was once arrested
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Mary Berry revealed she was once arrestedCredit: PA:Press Association

She said: “I was arrested 25 years ago.  I was going to the US to do some cookery demonstrations and was worried that there might be problems so I weighed out all the ingredients – flour, sugar – and put them all in little plastic bags.

“When I arrived at the airport the sniffer dogs made a bee-line for me.  Suddenly I was surrounded by uniformed people and my assistant and I were put in separate cells.”

Mary, who was promoting her new BBC One series Britain’s Best Home Cook, continued: “It was alarming.  When I was asked if was going to make money from the stuff, I said, “I do and my fee has already been agreed.”

 Mary and one of her famous cakes
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Mary and one of her famous cakesCredit: Handout
 She talked about her arrest alongside Claudia Winkleman on The Graham Norton Show
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She talked about her arrest alongside Claudia Winkleman on The Graham Norton ShowCredit: PA:Press Association

The TV star is best known for her work on Great British Bake Off, but was a well-known chef during the 70s and 80s.

She quit Bake Off in September 2016 after it was revealed the show would be moving to Channel 4.

Mary appeared on the show alongside her new co-star Claudia Winkleman, who said she didn’t hesitate to join the project when she found out Mary was part of it.

“I didn’t ask anything about it once I knew Mary was on board.  I just wanted to be with her!” she gushed.

Yesterday, the 22-year-old girlfriend of Mary's former co-judge Paul Hollywood spoke out about their relationship, insisting she had no problem about the couple's 30-year age gap.

Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, actor Maxine Peake, Episodes star and Top Gear presenter Matt LeBlanc also chat to Graham, and there is music from Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 20th April 10.35pm.

 Host Graham Norton with seated (left to right Mary Berry, Claudia Winkleman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Maxine Peake, Matt LeBlanc, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa
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Host Graham Norton with seated (left to right Mary Berry, Claudia Winkleman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Maxine Peake, Matt LeBlanc, Calvin Harris and Dua LipaCredit: PA:Press Association
Mary Berry cracks a joke about chef Nathan Outlaw's size after he says he loves windsurfing


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