The Sunday Times Rich List

The wife of Britain’s sixth richest man said yesterday that she would seek help for her drug problems after she was caught allegedly trying to take drugs into the American Embassy.

Eva Rausing, 44, the American-born wife of Hans Kristian Rausing, heir to the £5.4 billion Tetra Pak drinks carton empire, said that she had taken a “wrong turn” in her life.

“I have made a grave error and I consider myself to have taken a wrong turn in the course of my life,” she said. “I am very sorry for the upset I have caused.

“I thank my family and friends for the kindness and understanding that they have shown me.”

Ms Rausing was arrested on suspicion of possession of crack and heroin on Tuesday afternoon. She was stopped by security guards and found to have small “wraps” of drugs in her handbag.

She was taken to Charing Cross police station in Central London and questioned. Her husband, also 44, was then arrested at the couple’s £5 million mansion in Chelsea, West London, where police allegedly discovered drugs worth £2,000.

A police spokesman confirmed last night that a 44-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man had each been questioned on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs. If Mr Rausing is found guilty of possessing cocaine and heroin he could be permanently banned from travelling to the US. This would not affect Ms Rausing, who was born in America. A spokeswoman from the US Embassy said that Mr Rausing might be able to apply for a waiver to get round the prohibition, but he “would have to attend an interview at the Embassy”.

Ms Rausing is a patron of Action on Addiction, a charity that helps people to fight their drink and drugs problems.

Ed Clark, a spokesman for the charity asked for his reaction to the news, said: “I am not prepared to speak about that.”

The couple have been released from court on bail to return in July.

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