We are raising urgent funds to assist in the case of Natasha Artug, a young 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 and is working 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 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 which resulted in her being involved in.

We are seeking to raise £5,000 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.