Justice Abroad is Representing a British Mother Detained in Mauritius After Exploitation by Drug Traffickers
Justice Abroad is representing Natasha Artug, a British mother who is currently detained in Mauritius, facing serious drug charges after being arrested at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport with her 6-year-old son on arrival after having been forced to carry a suitcase containing cannabis without her knowledge.
Natasha is a single mother of two, who suffers from Fibromyalgia but who attends university to give her children a better future.
She was coerced into travelling to Mauritius with her young son, and to carry the luggage which she did not know contained cannabis, by individuals involved in the drugs trade who took advantage of her vulnerability and made threats to cause serious violence to her and her family if she refused to obey their orders.
The luggage they were forced to carry was fitted with Apple tracking devices used by international drug trafficking gangs to help smugglers keep tabs on their shipments: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/27/british-six-year-old-detained-smuggling-drugs-mauritius/.
This case raises serious concerns about the exploitation of a 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 in relation to the duress and exploitation which resulted in her ending up in this situation.
Justice Abroad’s Director, Barrister Michael Polak, who is representing Ms Artug, stated the following:
“Natasha Artug’s case is deeply troubling and highlights the tactics used by organised criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable individuals. Natasha is a mother who, after facing coercion and threats, found herself unknowingly carrying a suitcase containing drugs. It is vital that the Mauritian authorities are made aware of the full circumstances surrounding her case and that she is provided with a fair opportunity to defend herself in accordance with international standards. We are working urgently to ensure she is not punished for a crime she did not knowingly commit, but to do this we need support to fund her legal defence and gather critical evidence.”
We are seeking to raise an £4,000 to cover the costs of her legal representation in Mauritius, the collection of evidence in the United Kingdom to support the defence, and assisting with communications to the relevant authorities to protect the woman’s rights. If you are able to assist - through donations or by sharing this appeal - Natasha would be very grateful.
You can support this campaign here.
Notes for the Press
For comments on this case by the lawyers please email contact@justiceabroad.co.uk or call +44 20 7936 3637 or +44 741 519 1591
Michael Polak
Michael Polak is an international barrister based in London. He practises in international, criminal, and human rights law from Church Court Chambers. Michael is also a Director of Justice Abroad which helps people who need assistance dealing with legal proceedings overseas as well as working on human rights advocacy for groups and individuals. He is chair of the group Lawyers for Uyghur Rights and was awarded the International Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for 2021.