Drug Mules: Pawns in the International Narcotics Trade
blurb:isstoday:18112008drugs
18 November 2008: Drug Mules: Pawns in the International Narcotics Trade
Law enforcement agencies across the globe are observing a worrying upward trend of vulnerable persons being recruited as drug mules or couriers into the international drug trade. Regionally this trend has reached epic proportions, with many Africans serving long sentences in prisons across the world. The promise of easy money and a holiday in exotic locations such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Mumbai or Hong Kong, in exchange for carrying drugs, is hard to resist.
A drug mule or courier typically is a person who smuggles an illicit drug with him or her across a national border, including smuggling into and out of an international plane, for international drug syndicates. The profile of a mule usually fits that of an unemployed, financially desperate person who may not have traveled before. Syndicates employ mules to reduce the risk of getting caught themselves, while often profiting most. The mule typically is paid an amount that is small compared with the overall profit. Methods of smuggling include hiding the goods in a vehicle, luggage or clothes, strapping them to one's body, or using the body as container.
The latter method is applied for the trafficking of heroin and cocaine, and sometimes for ecstasy. Drug mules swallow latex balloons (this may include condoms, or fingers of latex gloves) or special pellets filled with the illicit drugs, and recovering them when nature calls. It is a common, but medically dangerous way of smuggling small amounts of drugs: a mule may die when a packet bursts or leaks. A mule may carry anything from a few grams up to 10 kg on them, up to 2 kg if the drug is swallowed.
Drug syndicates are increasingly migrating towards using mules or couriers. Whereas drugs used to be transported in suitcases and bags, concealed in cars, containers or ships, there has been a marked increase of women and men carry drugs on their body or in body cavities. Syndicates are usually a few steps ahead of drug enforcement agencies; they constantly adapt to new law enforcement strategies. The routes and the identity of mules change frequently. To circumvent and escape the detection of mules by law enforcement, syndicates have changed from using men to women, Europeans to Africans and young to old people.
Particularly worrying about this trend is what South American authorities have termed "dead cows for piranhas". A large percentage of mules are earmarked to never complete a successful drug transaction. Instead, they serve as the "dead meat” that detracts attention from drug-smuggling professionals. A member of the drug syndicate will tip off law enforcement of an expected drug delivery. While law enforcement captures and arrests the mule that was implicated, another person with a much larger amount will pass through undetected.
Official statistics on jailed mules are believed to only reflect the tip of the iceberg of this upward trend. Last year, 52 Mozambicans jailed in Brazil for drug trafficking were repatriated to the southern African country. In 2005, the South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimated that 865 of its citizens were in jails abroad for drug trafficking. The largest numbers were in jails in Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. In the past 12 months the number of women from southern African countries traveling to Brazil to traffic drugs has increased. Most mules carry the drugs in their stomachs from Brazil to regional destinations where the drugs are then forwarded to South African and European markets.
Internationally, Mozambique is considered one of the main drug corridors used by locals and foreigners to transport drugs to destinations such as South Africa. Other transshipment points en route to drug markets within southern Africa and beyond are Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and South Africa. Nationals from most countries in the region are recruited as mules. However, the volume of Tanzanian, Mozambican, Malagasy (originating from Madagascar) and South African nationals is a major concern to policy makers and law enforcement agencies alike. The drugs are not only smuggled to major markets in South Africa, Europe and North America. The growth of local demand for Class A drugs throughout the region has rendered every country a destination for hard drugs.
Special scanners installed at major ports of entry, such as international airports, have the capacity to detect drugs hidden in baggage or in stomachs. However only a small amount is detected that way. Profiling travelers is another strategy. Yet, few drug mules are detected and taken to court. They often have no knowledge of the kingpins behind the drug smuggling syndicate. Local henchmen recruit them. Upon arrival in the destination country, they are required to call a contact person or to await further instructions. Arresting a mule will seldom lead law enforcement to the source or curb supply of the drug. Mules are pawns, easily replaced by others who are vulnerable due to their socio-economic conditions or drug addictions.
Annette Hübschle, Senior Researcher, Organised Crime and Money Laundering Programme, ISS Cape Town
