A Namibian drug mule woman who attempted to smuggle drugs into South Africa has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
The Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court sentenced 30-year-old Pauline Mbangula to five years in prison after she was convicted of drug dealing. Three years of her sentence were suspended, meaning she will serve five years behind bars.
Holiday deception turns into a drug nightmare
Mbangula’s ordeal began on 22 September 2024, when she arrived at OR Tambo International Airport from São Paulo, Brazil. Furthermore, police arrested her after a tip-off, and medical tests confirmed she had ingested drug-filled capsules.
“She claimed that she was taken to Brazil by a man she recently met under false pretences that they were going on holiday,” said the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Also, once in Brazil, she was coerced into swallowing at least 68 cocaine-filled packets, also known as “bullets”, and smuggling them into South Africa.
The drugs were later extracted from her body under medical supervision.
Police Tighten Airport Security
SAPS revealed that Mbangula’s case is one of over 22 drug mule arrests made at OR Tambo International Airport in the past year alone.
“The regular arrests of drug mules at the OR Tambo International Airport should send a stern warning that police in South Africa, and in particular at this port of entry, are always on high alert to clamp down on criminality,” SAPS said.
A dire warning to young women
The police have called on young women, in particular, to remain vigilant and avoid being lured by false promises of travel or employment.
“This can have dire consequences,” SAPS stressed.
With traffickers increasingly using social media and romantic manipulation to recruit couriers, SAPS urged communities to educate and protect vulnerable individuals.
Do you think enough is being done to protect young women from falling victim to international drug syndicates?
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