Courts / Dublin / Report

Brazilian drugs mule swallowed 102 pellets of cocaine to pay off €163 debt

Summary

Kamila Henrique Lopes, 28, a Brazilian drugs mule, was intercepted at Dublin Airport on 5 June 2024. She admitted to swallowing 102 pellets of cocaine and hiding three more in a condom in her vagina to settle a €163 loan‑shark debt. The total value of the drugs was €83,510. Garda Emmet O'Byrne reported that Lopes had borrowed the debt from a street lender in Brazil, with penalties raising it to about €580. She cooperated with Gardaí, revealing that she was instructed to swallow the pellets in a hotel room in Brazil and that she found it physically difficult. Lopes has no prior convictions and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where she passed the 102 pellets. She has been in custody since 10 June 2024 and has taken educational courses. Judge Elva Duffy, after considering mitigating factors, set a headline sentence of five and a half years, reduced to three years and nine months, backdated to 5 June 2024. Kamila Henrique Lopes pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Brazilian drugs mule swallowed 102 pellets of cocaine to pay off €163 debt. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine at Dublin Airport on June 5, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 5, 2024 Incident
• June 10, 2024 Other
• 2024-12-05 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report