Gang in Brazil forced me to smuggle cocaine to Dubai, woman tells court

DUBAI // A gang in Brazil forced a woman to smuggle more than three kilograms of cocaine to Dubai, a court heard today.

NF, 24, from South Africa, told the Criminal Court the gang members threatened to kill her if she didn't agree to smuggle the drugs by taping them to her underwear. "I am a victim of force," she said.

She was arrested at Dubai International Airport on January 24 this year after police noticed her walking strangely. "She was tense and scared," recalled policeman AO, 34, who then asked her to undergo a full body search.

"She refused to take off her trousers after we noticed there was a strange thickness between her legs," said the policeman.

When the woman acquiesced he found a large bag containing the cocaine taped to her underwear.

"She told me she was taking the drugs to someone in South Africa," added the policeman.

A verdict is expected on May 21.

salamir@thenational.ae

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