Mary Hellen, Brazilian woman convicted of trafficking in Thailand, returns to Brazil
Arrested in 2022 at Bangkok airport with 9 kg of cocaine, Mary Hellen served a sentence of 9 years and 6 months and returned to the country to rebuild her life with her family.
Brazilian woman convicted of trafficking in Thailand back in Brazil
Mary Hellen Coelho Silva, arrested at Bangkok airport in February 2022 with approximately nine kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in suitcases, has returned to Brazil after serving part of her 9 years and 6 months sentence for international drug trafficking. According to g1.globo.com, her defence lawyer Kaelly Cavoli Moreira confirmed that the young woman is rebuilding her life with her family.
Before her arrest, Mary Hellen lived in Pouso Alegre, in the south of Minas Gerais, where she worked with a formal contract at a steakhouse, sold cakes with her sister and lived with her mother and four siblings. Born in Rio de Janeiro in September 2000, she was 21 years old when she was detained.
The arrest in Bangkok
On 14 February 2022, Mary Hellen was caught at Bangkok airport accompanied by Ricardo de Almeida da Rosa, then 26 years old. The two were carrying approximately nine kilogrammes of cocaine in hidden compartments of three suitcases. Hours later, a third Brazilian was arrested with another six kilogrammes of the drug. In total, Thai authorities seized approximately 15 kilogrammes of cocaine.
Before boarding, Mary Hellen had resigned from her job and travelled from Pouso Alegre to Curitiba, from where she travelled to Thailand. Relatives said they did not know the true destination of the trip.
What the family and friends knew
Mary Hellen's sister, Mariana Coelho, told g1 at the time that she believed the young woman was going to Curitiba, possibly to meet a boyfriend. Friend Angelique Sanches said it was Mary Hellen's first international trip and that she knew only of the young woman's habit of travelling around Brazil.
Both relatives and people close to her expressed the belief that Mary Hellen may have been deceived or induced into transporting the drug. At the time of her arrest, she had returned to her studies and was taking driving lessons in the city.
"She would never go to a place where there is the death penalty. She would not risk everything for that. If she had been aware of where she was going, she would not have gone. And if I had known, I would not have let her go," said Angelique.
Conviction and sentence
On 11 May 2022, the Thai justice system condemned Mary Hellen to 9 years and 6 months in prison. According to information released by the defence at the time, the sentence was divided into two years for a civil crime and seven years and six months for a criminal offence.
The case generated attention in Brazil mainly due to the severity of Thai legislation on drugs. Depending on the amount seized and the circumstances, drug trafficking can be punished with the death penalty in the Asian country.
During her detention, Mary Hellen received benefits that reduced her sentence. The defence also informed that a fine of 750,000 baht — equivalent to approximately R$ 105,000 at the exchange rate at the time — was waived.
After her arrest, her sister Mariana received an audio recording from Mary Hellen in which the young woman asked for help to try to answer for the crime in Brazil.
Difficulties during detention
In April 2026, lawyer Kaelly Cavoli Moreira reported difficulties in maintaining contact with her client and obtaining information about her situation. According to the defence, video calls mediated by the Brazilian Embassy in Bangkok had been interrupted, and consular assistance was criticised.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consulted by g1, reported that the Brazilian Embassy in Bangkok has been monitoring the case since 2022 and provided consular assistance to the Brazilian within national and international legislation. The Itamaraty added that, out of respect for the privacy of citizens, it does not disclose personal information or details of assistance provided.
Losses and new beginning
During the period she was detained in Thailand, Mary Hellen lost her mother and grandfather. The defence highlighted the difficulties the young woman faced in maintaining ties with her family from a distance.
Now back in Brazil, Mary Hellen is trying to rebuild her life. Before her arrest, she and her sister Mariana planned to formalise the family cake business and open a shop together.
Source: Google News BR — Crime