A Namibian woman has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, for allegedly smuggling cocaine in her stomach.
Pauline Mbangula, 30, was detained on Sunday after an X-ray screening reportedly detected foreign objects in her body. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that by Tuesday, Mbangula had expelled 68 pellets of suspected cocaine, weighing approximately 850 grams.
According to SAPS, Mbangula had travelled to Brazil with a Nigerian man, believing they were going on holiday. However, upon arrival, she was allegedly convinced to ingest drugs for smuggling.
“Mbangula travelled to Brazil under the pretence of going on vacation with her so-called boyfriend,” said SAPS spokesperson Mashadi Selepe. “Upon arrival, he convinced her to ingest drugs.”
Authorities believe Mbangula may be part of a larger drug trafficking operation. The police acted on a tip-off, intercepting her as she arrived from São Paulo.
Following her arrest, Mbangula was taken to a local hospital where medical examinations confirmed the presence of foreign objects in her stomach. She has since been moved to a detention facility.
Mbangula is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of dealing in drugs and drug possession. If convicted, she could face up to 25 years in prison.
SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola praised the vigilance of the multidisciplinary teams involved in the arrest. “South Africa is not a playground for criminals, and we are squeezing the space for transnational organised crime,” he stated.
Drug trafficking by ingestion poses significant health risks. In 2006, another Namibian woman, Darlin da Silva Paiva, died when cocaine pellets burst in her stomach during a similar smuggling attempt.
The value of the drugs in Mbangula’s case is yet to be determined. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as the case progresses.
