Drug mule sentenced to 8 years for smuggling cocaine from Brazil to SA

A 30-year-old Namibian drug mule has been sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment for drug dealing by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.

This follows the arrest of Pauline Mbangula on September 22, 2024, shortly after she landed at OR Tambo International Airport from São Paulo, Brazil.

At the time of her arrest, Mbangula was found to have swallowed at least 68 bullet-shaped packets filled with cocaine.

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A medical examination confirmed the presence of the drugs in her stomach, and she was later made to release the packets.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that Mbangula claimed she had been taken to Brazil under false pretences.

“At the time of her arrest, she claimed that she was taken to Brazil by a man she had recently met under the false pretence that they were going on holiday,” said Mathe.

“On arrival in Brazil, she was then forced to swallow the drugs and traffic them to South Africa.”

Mbangula was sentenced to eight years’ direct imprisonment for drug dealing, of which three years were wholly suspended.

The SAPS has once again warned young women not to fall prey to drug trafficking syndicates, highlighting the dire consequences of becoming involved in such crimes.

ALSO READ: Fourth drug mule caught at OR Tambo

In the past year alone, police have arrested more than 22 drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport.

The regular arrests of drug mules at the airport should serve as a stern warning, SAPS said, that police in South Africa—particularly at this port of entry—remain on high alert to clamp down on criminal activity.