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Drug Mules are people who are used to smuggle drugs across International Borders, for drug syndicates.
Women are mostly used as drug mules owing to their lack of economic opportunities to make a living. Often drug addicts are forced by drug lords to act as drug mules because they owe the drug lords money.
EXAMPLES OF TECHNIQUES USED TO SMUGGLE DRUGS:
Drugs hidden in a secret compartment of luggage or a motor vehicle.
Drugs hidden between clothes in luggage.
Swallowing of drugs like cocaine, heroin or ecstasy.
Body packing (transporting drugs).
DANGERS OF ACTING AS A DRUG MULE:
Arrest and lengthy period of imprisonment if convicted.
Some countries also still have the death sentence if a person is convicted on a drug-related charge.
Rupturing of pallets that contain drugs can lead to instant death if absorbed.
There are currently a number of South African citizens serving sentences in prisons in Malaysia, China, Mauritius, Brazil, Bangkok and Thailand after they were arrested as drug mules.
THE FACTS:
A man and his girlfriend, who were in a 6-year relationship, both had a debilitating history of drug abuse.
For confidentiality purposes, we will call our clients Dave and Cindy.
Dave had connections to a drug lord known for dealing, selling and supplying drugs.
Dave lost his job but believed a new opportunity was opening for him when he was asked to meet the drug lord at a local restaurant.
They had to “collect a package” and return it to South Africa.
All the travel arrangements were made for them, including the plane tickets and passports.
Although Dave had concerns about the legitimacy of the “package”, he was assured that it was only for business purposes and he should not be worried about it.
The drug lord also sponsored Cindy, who was taken to a hair salon to have her hair done.
New clothing and a new cell phone were bought for her.
Cindy’s accommodation was also paid for at a lodge in the Sunnyside area, in Pretoria.
They booked a flight to Cape Town from Lanseria Airport north of Randburg.
Lanseria Airport is used since this airport is smaller and it is known that their security is not as tight as that of Oliver Tambo International Airport.
They departed for Cape Town International Airport to board a flight to Brazil.
At Cape Town International Airport, the airport security officer checked their passports for the trip to Brazil and to see whether their accommodation in Brazil was booked and paid for.
The airport security refused to board them since their accommodation in Brazil had not been booked and paid for.
Therefore, they had to stay at another hotel in Cape Town.
A ride-hailing service provider picked the couple up the following day and took them back to Cape Town International Airport.
They returned to Pretoria.
Cindy again stayed in the same lodge she was assigned to before the Cape Town trip.
It was at this stage that the drug lords decided only to make use of Cindy since they believed that Dave triggered too many “red flags”, putting them at risk.
They gave Dave money and told him to leave and not to contact Cindy until the “package” was collected and brought back.
Dave was escorted out of the neighbourhood, and Cindy was locked in one of the rooms at the lodge.
Although she was given food and water and a key to her room, they placed a guard outside her door.
Cindy became worried and called a family member for help.
PHOTOS FROM THE ROOM WHERE THE VICTIM WAS HELD CAPTIVE:
This person contacted Mr Mike Bolhuis for immediate assistance.
Mr Bolhuis contacted the SAPS and requested help from their specialised members.
With the information received from SSS’ Specialist Investigators an operation was set in place to free Cindy.
SSS Specialist Investigators, VISPOL and a SAPS SPECIAL TASK FORCE, planned a joint operation to free Cindy.
SAPS Visible Police (VISPOL) are based at police stations and tasked with crime prevention duties.
Their role in crowd management events is to prevent crime and gather intelligence by patrolling the area, speaking with police informers, and ensuring the safety of both participants and non-participants.
A criminal kidnapping case was also opened at the Hercules SAPS police station.
Mr Bolhuis then communicated personally with Cindy to ascertain her whereabouts and circumstances.
Dave was interviewed by the SAPS SPECIAL TASK FORCE, and with the help of Specialised Security Services’ Specialist Investigators, VISPOL successfully freed Cindy.
The couple was placed in a place of safety.
The police investigation is ongoing.
CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN MR BOLHUIS AND THE VICTIM WHILE SHE WAS HELD CAPTIVE:
Kidnapping for drug muling is a serious issue worldwide, and South Africa is not exempt from such criminal activities. Drug trafficking and related crimes often involve a range of illegal activities, including the coercion or abduction of individuals to transport drugs across borders.
The extent of the Problem:
South Africa, like many other countries, faces challenges related to drug trafficking, and criminals may resort to kidnapping individuals to use them as drug mules.
Criminal organisations may target vulnerable individuals, including those facing economic hardships or lacking a support system.
Impact on Victims:
Kidnapping for drug muling can have severe physical and psychological effects on victims.
Victims may face legal consequences, including arrest and imprisonment and potential harm from criminal organisations if they fail to carry out their assigned tasks.
Safety Measures:
Public Awareness: Governments, law enforcement agencies, and non-governmental organisations often work to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug trafficking and the tactics used by criminals.
Border Security: Improving border security measures can help detect and prevent the movement of drugs and the individuals involved.
Collaboration: International cooperation among law enforcement agencies is crucial to tackling transnational drug trafficking networks.
Preventive Measures for Individuals:
Education: Informing individuals about the risks associated with drug trafficking and the tactics used by criminals can empower them to make safer choices.
Support Systems: Building strong community and family support systems can help protect individuals from falling prey to criminal organisations.
It's important to note that addressing the issue of kidnapping for drug muling requires a multifaceted approach involving law enforcement, government initiatives, community engagement, and international collaboration.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Group. This group is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
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Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
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