Mother allegedly swallows 110 capsules of cocaine, and then breastfeeds baby on international flight

A young couple has been arrested – and their baby taken into care – after allegedly smuggling cocaine ‘inside their bodies’ on a flight to Lisbon from Brazil.

The mother, 23, is understood to have breastfed her eight-month-old infant, in spite of the fact that she had apparently swallowed 110 capsules of cocaine before boarding the flight.

She and her male partner, 25, were arrested by Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) at Humberto Delgado Airport following their arrival from Brazil on Monday.

According to investigators, the couple between them were carrying a total of 170 capsules of cocaine, which they understand were ingested in the early hours of June 15 (last Sunday).

The arrests were carried out by officers from the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders during routine border control operations. It appears the couple attracted attention due to giving inconsistent explanations about the purpose and circumstances of their trip.

Following their detention, both suspects were transferred to hospital, where they remain under medical and police supervision while the capsules are expelled from their bodies.

Officers have been stationed at the hospital as part of the ongoing operation.

Police also reportedly discovered a quantity of cocaine among the couple’s personal belongings.

Baby under medical observation

The case has prompted the intervention of Portugal’s child protection authorities.

The baby is currently under observation in a paediatric unit, and expected to be placed in the care of the appropriate welfare services.

Investigators are continuing to examine the case to determine the total quantity of drugs involved, and whether the suspects were acting on behalf of a wider criminal trafficking network.

The operation is the latest in a series of drug-smuggling interceptions at Lisbon Airport – a key entry point for international passengers arriving in Portugal from South America – and one of the reasons, stress authorities, for the enhanced border checks brought in by the European Commission, which have had their share of teething problems, but now seem to be ‘sorted’.

Source: CNN Portugal

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.