Latest news with #NatashiaArtug
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit mum arrested with son, 6, over ‘£1.6m drug smuggling plot in Mauritius' facing A YEAR in hellhole jail before trial
A BRIT mum-of-two accused of trying to smuggle £1.6million of drugs into Mauritius inside her son's suitcase is reportedly being held in an infamously hellish prison. Natashia Artug, 35, allegedly stuffed 24 packages of cannabis weighing 14kg 8 Natashia Artug has been arrested in Mauritius Credit: Facebook 8 She has been held along with her partner Florian Credit: Facebook 8 The mum faces more than a year at the Beau Bassin Central Prison She now faces being stuck inside the womens' section of the nightmarish Beau Bassin Central Prison for over a year while she awaits trial, the The notorious slammer known for its "filthy" conditions and harsh It houses The jail reportedly has a "lack of hygiene, sanitation, and basic medical care", according to a damming US State Department report in 2014. READ MORE WORLD NEWS The report also noted that prisons in Mauritius did not always meet international standards, and that Natashia, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was arrested alongside six Brits and her Romanian boyfriend accused of trying to smuggle a total of 161kg into the tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Her six-year-old son was picked up by customs officials when the group landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport from London Gatwick last month. The boy was initially held by Mauritian cops but has since been released and is now back in the UK with his dad. Most read in The Sun Natashia is said to be "vulnerable" and claims she was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by drug traffickers who threatened her family. Her case is being treated with particular seriousness after Brit 'drug mules' avoid death penalty over £300k plot in Bali as court reveals short sentence due to 'polite behaviour' Nonprofit group Justice Abroad said she did not know the bags contained cannabis. Natashia was initially held with her son in the headquarters of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit in Mauritius so they could be together. But she has since been sent to the infamous Beau Bassin Central Prison after her son's dad flew over, picked him up and brought him back home. Over half of the women in the hellhole jail are said to be foreign - and most of them are serving sentences or on remand for drug offences. Drug convictions in Mauritius can result in a mammoth 45-year jail sentence. The 2014 US report also said: "Given the lack of administrative remedies, inmates' relatives sometimes turned to private radio stations to denounce hygiene conditions or other problems." The report didn't specify whether the harsh conditions also relate to the womens' sections of prisons or just the much larger mens' cells. A Russian woman whose sister was being held at Beau Bassin Central Prison on drug charges slammed the prison's conditions on social media. She said: "Sometime I can communicate with [her sister], and she always complains on conditions of imprisonment. "She doesn't have normal access to medicines, clean drinking water. Sanitary conditions are terrible. 8 The womens' section houses around 135 inmates 8 Natashia is said to be 'vulnerable' and claims she was coerced Credit: Facebook The woman added in her post to Reddit: "She often hears verbal harassment and threats, sounds like 'You'll die here'. Abuse on racial prejudice. "Most of the time the prisoners are in the prison yard under the scorching sun. Foreign prisoners are not allowed to wear hats." The Switzerland-based Association for the Prevention of Torture also highlighted conditions for women inmates in Mauritius in a report last year. It called for more kitchen facilities and the addition of psychiatrists to provide mental health care. The UK Government website also describes prison conditions in Mauritius. The website reads: "Imprisonment is generally in small cells with a number of other detainees. "Mauritius is one of the rare countries where time out of cell is from 6.15am to 5pm. Prison officials will normally speak English to British prisoners." It adds: "Many other detainees can also speak English although most of them will speak in the local language (Creole). "While in detention, detainees can have access to the prison library where English books are available. The government also claims that all prisons on the island "are Human Rights standards compliant". Since her imprisonment, Natashia has launched a crowdfunder appealing for £5,000 to fight the serious charges. 8 Florian Lisman, 38 from Romania was also arrested and accused of carrying 32 bags of drugs Credit: Facebook 8 Natashia was accused of smuggling drugs in her son's wheelie case Credit: Facebook.. Natashia's partner Florian Lisman, 38 from The other Brits arrested included Laura Kappen, 28, a bar worker from Orton Goldhay, Cambs, Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Cambs, Shona Campbell, 33, a cleaner from Standground, Cambs, Lily Watson, a caterer from Peterborough, Cambs, and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, also from Peterborough. Each suspect was travelling on the British Airways flight from Gatwick with an Apple AirTag which is used to track an item's location. Justice Abroad claim these were used by a trafficking gang to keep tabs on the group's movements with the drugs shipment. Authorities on Mauritius branded the They added: "This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years." The drugs cache was found during a joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the airport. Justice Abroad said Natashia suffers from fibromyalgia and is currently attending university. They added: "This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. "She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation." The shocking arrests come amid a spate of Brits accused of drug smuggling around the world. Georgia . The 19-year-old from Billingham, County Durham , She says she was coerced by a brutal trafficking gang who allegedly burned her with an iron and Bella claims she was duped into transporting the drugs by the Thailand-based gang – but prosecutors argue In Sri Lanka, The 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, denies the allegations but was reportedly caught with 46kg of the substance packed into her suitcases. If convicted, she could be handed a 25-year prison sentence in a country known for its tough anti-drug stance. 8 The mum-of-two was arrested with one of her sons Credit: Facebook
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Daily Record
Brit mum who allegedly smuggled cannabis into Mauritius in son's suitcase held in hellhole prison
Natashia Artug was arrested in Mauritius after an estimated £1.6million worth of cannabis was reportedly found inside luggage. A British mum is being held in a notorious hellhole prison accused of attempting to smuggle cannabis into Mauritius inside her six-year-old son's suitcase, it is reported. It is said Natashia Artug faces waiting more than a year on remand in the women's' section of Beau Bassin Central Prison just outside the island capital Port Louis. This period is understood to be before the 35-year-old mother of two is even brought to trial. The jail, home to 135 women inmates, has been described as being filthy with prisoners often having to spend hours outside "under the scorching sun", reports the Mirror. Artug was arrested with six other Britons and her Romanian boyfriend after they allegedly tried to smuggle 161kg of cannabis worth £1.6million into Mauritius. However, her representatives from London-based non-profit Justice Abroad claim she had been coerced into travelling to the island nation by people who threatened her and her family. After the group's British Airways flight from Gatwick touched down at the island's Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport last month, it is said cannabis weighing 14kg was found wrapped in cellophane packages and stuffed inside Artug's six-year-old son's wheelie case. And so authorities in Mauritius are understood to therefore be treating Artug's case with utmost seriousness. The mum, though, is being held alongside four other British women, all arrested with her and all from Cambridgeshire. The defendant was reportedly initially held under guard with her son in the headquarters of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit in Mauritius so they could be together. However, she is believed to have been transferred to the Beau Bassin Central Prison after her son's father reportedly flew over to collect him and took him back to the UK. Artug, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is yet to comment publicly about her experience. Prison conditions in Mauritius were slammed in a 2014 report, which said they "did not always meet international standards" and drug abuse had been reported in jails across the island. More than half of the women at Beau Bassin Central Prison are believed to be foreign with the majority serving sentences or on remand for drug offences. Yet the Human Rights report by the US State Department highlighted a "lack of hygiene, sanitation, and basic medical care" as "problems" at the clink. In a further comment on the jail, it added: "Given the lack of administrative remedies, inmates' relatives sometimes turned to private radio stations to denounce hygiene conditions or other problems." The document, though, did not specify whether the issues related to the women's' section of the jail or the far larger mens' section. It described, however, record-keeping in prisons on the island as "adequate" with inmates able to have visitors, submit complaints and follow religious observance. In relation to the case, a Foreign Office spokesman has said: "We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brit mum arrested in Mauritius with son, 6, is being held in hellhole prison
Natashia Artug, who lives in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was arrested in Mauritius after an estimated £1.6 million worth of cannabis was reportedly found inside luggage A British mum accused of trying to smuggle cannabis into Mauritius inside her six-year-old son's suitcase is being held there in a notorious hellhole prison, it is reported. It is said Natashia Artug faces waiting more than a year on remand in the womens' section of Beau Bassin Central Prison just outside the island capital Port Louis. This period is understood to be before Artug, 35, is even brought to trial. The jail, home to 135 women inmates, has been described as being filthy with prisoners often having to spend hours outside "under the scorching sun". Artug, who is a mother of two, was arrested with six other Britons and her Romanian boyfriend after they allegedly tried to smuggle 161kg of cannabis worth £1.6million into Mauritius. However, she had been coerced into travelling to the island nation by people who threatened her and her family, said London-based non-profit Justice Abroad, who is representing the woman. After the group's British Airways flight from Gatwick touched down at the island's Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport last month, it is said cannabis weighing 14kg was found wrapped in cellophane packages and stuffed inside Artug's six-year-old son's wheelie case. And so authorities in Mauritius are understood to therefore be treating Artug's case with utmost seriousness. The mum, though, is being held alongside four other British women, all arrested with her and all from Cambridgeshire. The defendant was reportedly initially held under guard with her son in the headquarters of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit in Mauritius so they could be together. However, she is believed to have been transferred to the Beau Bassin Central Prison after her son's father reportedly flew over to collect him and took him back to the UK. Artug, from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, is yet to comment publicly about her experience. Prison conditions in Mauritius were slammed in a 2014 report, which said they "did not always meet international standards" and drug abuse had been reported in jails across the island. More than half of the women at Beau Bassin Central Prison are believed to be foreign with the majority serving sentences or on remand for drug offences. Yet the Human Rights report by the US State Department highlighted a "lack of hygiene, sanitation, and basic medical care" as "problems" at the clink. In a further comment on the jail, it added: "Given the lack of administrative remedies, inmates' relatives sometimes turned to private radio stations to denounce hygiene conditions or other problems." The document, though, did not specify whether the issues related to the womens' section of the jail or the far larger mens' section. It described, however, record-keeping in prisons on the island as "adequate" with inmates able to have visitors, submit complaints and follow religious observance. In relation to the case, a Foreign Office spokesman has said: "We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities."
Daily Mail
25-07-2025
- Daily Mail
British mother who smuggled £1.6m of cannabis into Mauritius hidden in her six-year-old son's suitcase faces a year in hellhole prison BEFORE her trial
A British mother who is accused of trying to smuggle cannabis into Mauritius inside her six-year-old son's suitcase is being held in a notorious hell hole prison on the holiday island, MailOnline can reveal. Natashia Artug, 35, faces waiting more than a year on remand in the womens' section of Beau Bassin Central Prison just outside the island capital Port Louis before she is brought to trial. The jail with around 135 women inmates has been described as being filthy with prisoners often having to spend hours outside 'under the scorching sun'. Mother-of-two Natashia from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was arrested with six other Britons and her Romanian boyfriend after they allegedly tried to smuggle 161kgs of cannabis worth £1.6million into Mauritius. But the authorities are said to be treating her case with particular seriousness because cannabis weighing 14kg was found wrapped in cellophane packages and stuffed inside her six-year-old son's wheelie case. The shock discovery was made after the group's British Airways flight from Gatwick touched down at the island's Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport last month. Natashia is being held alongside four other British women Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness, 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32, who are all from Cambridgeshire and were arrested with her, according to local newspaper Le Mauricien. She was initially held under guard with her son in the headquarters of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit in Mauritius so they could be together. But she is believed to have been transferred to the Beau Bassin Central Prison after her son's father reportedly flew over to collect him and took him back to the UK. More than half the women in the jail are said to be foreign with the majority serving sentences or on remand for drug offences. A Human Rights report by the US State Department in 2014 highlighted prison conditions in Mauritius, saying they 'did not always meet international standards' and drug abuse had been reported in jails across the island. The report said media reports had highlighted a 'lack of hygiene, sanitation, and basic medical care' as 'problems' at Beau Bassin Central Prison. In a further comment on the jail, it added: 'Given the lack of administrative remedies, inmates' relatives sometimes turned to private radio stations to denounce hygiene conditions or other problems.' The report did not specify whether the issues related to the womens' section of the jail or the far larger mens' section. It did, however, describe record keeping in prisons on Mauritius as 'adequate' with inmates able to have visitors, submit complaints and follow religious observance The report also said there were no reports of threats to life or health, food shortages, poor ventilation, extreme temperatures or lighting problems in the nation's other prison facilities. A Russian woman whose sister was being held on drug smuggling charges at Beau Bassin Central Prison highlighted her fears about the jail in a Reddit post. The woman said conditions in the prison were potentially worsening her sister's long standing medical conditions, and her complaints to authorities in Mauritius were being ignored. She wrote: 'Sometime I can communicate with she (sic), and she always complain on conditions of imprisonment. 'She doesn't have normal access to medicines, clean drinking water. Sanitary conditions are terrible. She often hear verbal harassment and threats, sounds like 'You'll die here'. Abuse on racial prejudice. 'Most of the time the prisoners are in the prison yard under the scorching sun. Foreign prisoners are not allowed to wear hats.' The Association for the Prevention of Torture based in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighted conditions for women inmates in Mauritius in a more recent report in August last year. It made a series of recommendations including calls for the renovation of the kitchen with a larger cold room for vegetables and fruits, more fridges, and addition psychiatrists to provide mental health care for inmates The report also said authorities should provide protective gear such as gloves, aprons and rubber boots for women cleaning shower units. It further called for more Skype calls to be made available for foreign prisoners to keep in touch with family and friends with 'income generating opportunities' for women to pay for calls. The UK Government website also talks of prison conditions in Mauritius, saying: 'Imprisonment is generally in small cells with a number of other detainees. 'Mauritius is one of the rare countries where time out of cell is from 6.15am to 5pm. Prison officials will normally speak English to British prisoners. 'Many other detainees can also speak English although most of them will speak in the local language (Creole). While in detention, detainees can have access to the prison library where English books are available. 'All prisons on the island are Human Rights standards compliant. Civil Society and NGOs are widely involved in assisting at prisons. The prison has both an internal and external inspectorate.' The website added that there were opportunities to work and study in Mauritius prisons with a range of options such as gas welding, metal fabrication, basketry, woodwork, pastry baking. Hairdressing, garment making and beautycare are also available in the womens' prison. Natashia's Romanian boyfriend Florian Lisman, 38, and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, who were also arrested at the airport are in a mens' prison. Mauritian authorities have stated that they believe the group were all acting as drug mules, hired to bring drugs on to the island. Natashia who is said to be 'vulnerable' claims she was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by drug traffickers who threatened her family. Non-profit group Justice Abroad said she did not know the bags she was carrying contained cannabis. She has launched a crowdfunder appealing for £5,000 to fight the serious charges. Justice Abroad said mother-of-two Natashia suffered from fibromyalgia and was currently attending university. They added: 'This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. 'She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation.' Authorities on Mauritius have branded the use of a child in the audacious drug smuggling plot as 'outrageous and inhumane'. They added: 'This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years.' Patrick's mother Carly Wilsdon previously said that he had gone to Mauritius after being being offered a 'free holiday'. She said: 'He wouldn't have known what he was doing because he wouldn't get involved in drugs. 'The person who told them about this free holiday is one of his circle of friends but now he has disappeared. 'He told them that he had been before and that they would meet someone there. There was no mention of drugs. 'It is so hard. He could be looking at 30 years. He has never been in trouble and only been abroad once before. 'I missed a call from him on the day they arrived. I thought it was to show me the apartment. I can't believe what's happened.' Speaking outside her home last month, a relative of Laura Kappen said: 'She is not a bad kid. She's never done anything wrong in her life but I guess she has done something foolish. Someone must have enticed them with money.' A relative of Shona Campbell said: 'It is really difficult. She's got two little kids and they don't know. It's horrible.' A Foreign Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are supporting a British national detained in Mauritius and are in contact with the local authorities.'
The Sun
23-07-2025
- The Sun
Brit mum arrested with son, 6, for ‘smuggling £1.6m of drugs in Mauritius' launches fundraiser & claims ‘I was coerced'
A BRIT mum-of-two accused of trying to smuggle £1.6million of drugs into Mauritius inside her son's suitcase has claimed she was coerced. Natashia Artug, 35, allegedly stuffed 24 packages of cannabis weighing 14kg inside her six-year-old son's wheelie case. 9 9 9 9 The mum from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was held along with seven other people accused of trying to smuggle a total of 161kg into the tropical island in the Indian Ocean. The lad was picked up by customs officials when the group landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport last month. The boy was initially held by Mauritian cops but has since been released and is now back in the UK with his father. Natashia is said to be 'vulnerable' and claims she was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by drug traffickers who threatened her family. Nonprofit group Justice Abroad said she did not know the bags contained cannabis. She has launched a crowdfunder appealing for £5,000 to fight the serious charges. . Natashia's partner Florian Lisman, 38 from Romania, was also arrested and was said to be carrying 32 bags of drugs, an iPhone and £260 in his luggage. The other Brits arrested included Laura Kappen, 28, a bar worker from Orton Goldhay, Cambs, Shannon Holness, 29, a caterer, from Bretton, Cambs, Shona Campbell, 33, a cleaner from Standground, Cambs, Lily Watson, a caterer from Peterborough, Cambs, and window fitter Patrick Wilsdon, 21, also from Peterborough. Each suspect was travelling on the British Airways flight from Gatwick with an Apple AirTag which is used to track an item's location. Justice Abroad claim these were used by a trafficking gang to keep tabs on the group's movements with the drugs shipment. Authorities on Mauritius branded the use of a child in the audacious drug smuggling plot as 'outrageous and inhumane". They added: "This is one of the most revolting cases we have encountered in recent years." The drugs cache was found during a joint operation by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) at the airport. 9 9 9 Justice Abroad said Natashia suffers from fibromyalgia and is currently attending university. They added: "This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a young mother by a criminal gang. "She now faces criminal trial in Mauritius separated from her children and without the resources to mount an adequate defence and to put together the evidence of the duress and exploitation." Accused Patrick's mother Carly Wilsdon previously said her son had just started work as a window fitter in Peterborough and had gone to Mauritius after being offered a 'free holiday'. It was only the second time he had been abroad in his life. She said: 'He was told it was a free holiday. He wouldn't have known what he was doing because he wouldn't get involved in drugs. 'The person who told them about this free holiday is one of his circle of friends but now he has disappeared. 'He told them that he had been before and that they would meet someone there. There was no mention of drugs. 'It is so hard. He could be looking at 30 years. He has never been in trouble and only been abroad once before. 'I missed a call from him on the day they arrived. I thought it was to show me the apartment. I can't believe what's happened.' 9 Speaking outside her home last month, a relative of Laura Kappen said: 'She is not a bad kid. She's never done anything wrong in her life but I guess she has done something foolish. Someone must have enticed them with money.' A relative of Shona Campbell said: 'It is really difficult. She's got two little kids and they don't know. It's horrible.' The shocking arrests come amid a spate of Brits accused of drug smuggling around the world. Bella May Culley, 19, is battling to avoid a 20-year jail sentence while pregnant after being arrested in Georgia. The 19-year-old from Billingham, County Durham, denies knowingly smuggling cannabis and hashish from Thailand. She says she was coerced by a brutal trafficking gang who allegedly burned her with an iron and threatened her family with beheading. Bella claims she was duped into transporting the drugs by the Thailand-based gang – but prosecutors argue CCTV footage shows her calmly passing through Bangkok airport's gates without raising the alarm. In Sri Lanka, Charlotte May Lee is behind bars after allegedly attempting to smuggle £1.2million worth of synthetic kush, a highly potent cannabis variant. The 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, denies the allegations but was reportedly caught with 46kg of the substance packed into her suitcases. If convicted, she could be handed a 25-year prison sentence in a country known for its tough anti-drug stance. And a British couple claiming to be holidaymakers were busted in Valencia, Spain, after allegedly arriving with 33kg of cannabis hidden in their bags. Police said they were flagged for their 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now in jail facing serious trafficking charges. Lee Adams, who went missing on Mauritius, was arrested on May 24 on suspicion of smuggling £110,000 worth of cannabis into the East African nation. Lee, 40, from Yardley, Birmingham, was intercepted as he arrived at the airport and customs officers found 5.75 kilos of cannabis concealed in his suitcase. According to local news reports Adams, who was confronted with the evidence during an interrogation, admitted his role and was arrested on the spot. Investigators immediately launched a "controlled delivery" operation on the holiday island and two suspected accomplices, both believed to be British, were also arrested. An investigation has been launched and the trio remain in custody. Spate of Brit drug arrests worldwide A SLEW of drug mule cases invovling Brits have emerged in the last few weeks In April-May, Two other Brit women were arrested abroad for alleged drug smuggling. Glam tourist Bella Culley allegedly tried to smuggle a suitcase of weed into Georgia and was locked away in a brutal ex-Soviet prison despite claiming to be pregnant. The 18-year-old was sent to the brutal Women's Penitentiary No. 5 in the town of Rustavi - a slammer notorious for its hellish conditions just outside Tbilisi. She had originally jetted to the Philippines to meet an old friend, but reportedly changed her plans last minute to go to Thailand with a gang of British lads unknown to her. A sentence ranging from 20 years to life could be a possibility for teen Bella from County Durham, according to prosecutors. Meanwhile, former air stewardess Charlotte May Lee was then caught allegedly trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.2million into Sri Lanka. Her two suitcases were said to have been stuffed with 46kg of a synthetic cannabis strain known as kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence. Meanwhile, a young mum is being detained in Germany for allegedly smuggling cannabis in her bags on a flight from Thailand - in yet another shocking case. Glamorous Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth, Herts, was detained at Munich Airport on April 21 as she tried to collect her luggage. It comes as a Brit couple claiming to be tourists from Thailand have been busted with more than 33kg of cannabis in their suitcases at a Spanish airport. The pair were picked out by suspicious cops at Valencia Airport after displaying a 'nervous and evasive attitude' and are now behind bars on drug trafficking charges. Experts told The Sun how wannabe Brit Insta stars are being lured by cruel gangs into carting drugs across the world.
