Brazilian Manuela Farias, now 20, was caught last year with three kilograms of cocaine on the Indonesian island of Bali. Like any citizen convicted of drug trafficking in the largest Muslim country in the world, Manuela faced the death penalty. But he was lucky. After a complex trial, the young surfer, who made a living selling perfume and lingerie, said he was caught up in a criminal network and forced to work as a “mule” (drug transporter). Having originally booked a trip to the Indonesian island to practice surfing, Manuela Farias’ defense team claimed she was forced into traffic.
A year ago, Indonesian prosecutors asked to sentence Manuela to 11 years in prison and pay 61,000 euros. The Brazilian’s defense called the verdict a “miracle” as death sentences – or life imprisonment – are common for drug traffickers.
Manuela Farias is being held at Kerobokan Women’s Prison, a detention center in Bali known for its large number of foreign prisoners.