KRM 320 Theme 4
Erin Polyblank
THEME 4: FEMALE DRUG-RELATED
OFFENCES AND SEX WORK
Learning outcomes:
Demonstrate the nature and extent of the involvement of women in drug-
related crimes by referring to authoritative research.
Analyse the continuous debate regarding the involvement of women in sex
work and illustrate the link between sex work and drug related crime by
referring to authoritative research.
Critically discuss the four legislative models that are used worldwide to
manage sex work, comment on the status quo in South Africa and provide
an opinion on the way forward
THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN
DRUG-RELATED CRIMES
Drug abuse seems to be a defining factor in female crime in the sense that it
is an almost omnipresent factor in the profiles of various types of women
offenders.
o Drug use is associated with female criminality than with male criminality.
Findings of female and male heroin users (Not SA):
o Young, black and other minority women were overrepresented.
These women are much younger than their white female
counterparts but were older than their male counterparts.
o Female heroin abusers were more likely than male addicts to be
separated, divorced or widowed.
They are much more likely to have children.
o Female heroin abusers reported more general disorganisation and
economic insecurity in their early family lives than men.
o Female heroin abusers often reported sexual abuse by fathers and other
male relatives.
o Women commit a variety of crimes to support their drug habit including
dealing drugs, sex work, shoplifting, burglary etc.
o Addiction to heroin changes sex work patterns for women.
Well-groomed and educated call girls are usually in higher paying
positions and are usually independent of pimps.
1
,KRM 320 Theme 4
Erin Polyblank
o Women heroin addicts suffer greater social stigma than men who are
heroin addicts
Findings of women addicted to crack-cocaine:
o Usually victims of extensive physical and sexual abuse that has motivated
them to become addicted to drugs.
o Addiction to crack-cocaine changed the patterns of sex work among their
participants.
Refers to the phenomenon of “crack house sex”.
They sell sex for drugs
Women often enter drug subcultures through their relationships with men.
Traditional roles identified in drug using:
o Middling: Women are used to bring parties in contact with each other to
negotiate high level organised drug deals between crime syndicates.
o Drug mules: People who transport drugs over international borders.
o Steerers/stouts: Typically street-based sex workers who refer clients to
places or people where drugs can be purchased.
o Coppers: Buy drugs on behalf of a client from a dealer and transactional
sex if often part of the deal.
Case study: Vanessa Goosen
Young woman in South Africa who was unconsensually drug mulled by a
“friend”.
She was 21 years old and pregnant when she was caught with 2 heroin
filled textbooks in bangkok.
She was sentenced to death and then was changed to life.
After 16 years she was given the kings pardon and released.
She now created a foundation that raises awareness for drug users and
mullers.
ARTICLE:
https://journals-co-za.uplib.idm.oclc.org/content/journal/10520/EJC-4a86f88a9
SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE
The paper examines the role of South African drug mules in cross-border
smuggling, looking at the drugs they carry, how they are recruited, how they
2
, KRM 320 Theme 4
Erin Polyblank
transport drugs, and the criminal networks that use them. It analyses South
Africa’s unique position in the global illicit drug trade, the socio-economic
vulnerabilities that lead to recruitment, and the difficulty of obtaining accurate
data on the phenomenon. The study explores criminological theories to explain
why people become drug mules, distinguishes between different mule types, and
outlines methods used by traffickers to conceal drugs and evade detection.
1. TYPES OF DRUGS, ORIGINS, AND DESTINATIONS
Types: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis
products.
Origins: South America (notably Brazil), West Africa, Southeast Asia.
Destinations: Europe, Asia, North America, and sometimes within Africa.
2. WHY SOUTH AFRICA IS SEEN AS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR ILLICIT DRUG
TRADE
Large, busy airports and seaports with high passenger and cargo volumes.
Well-developed transport and banking infrastructure.
Proximity to drug-producing and transit regions.
Relatively less strict profiling at borders compared to some countries.
Socio-economic inequalities create a vulnerable recruitment pool.
3. SOUTH AFRICA’S RANKING AND DIFFICULTIES IN ASCERTAINING
NUMBERS
Ranks 10th globally for citizens serving drug trafficking sentences abroad.
Exact numbers are hard to determine due to:
o Lack of centralised global database.
o Inconsistent reporting by foreign governments.
o Families often not reporting cases due to stigma.
4. MODES OF TRANSPORT USED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING
Commercial flights (most common).
Maritime cargo and shipping.
Overland transport via buses, cars, or trucks.
5. METHODS AUTHORITIES USE TO DETECT DRUGS
3
Erin Polyblank
THEME 4: FEMALE DRUG-RELATED
OFFENCES AND SEX WORK
Learning outcomes:
Demonstrate the nature and extent of the involvement of women in drug-
related crimes by referring to authoritative research.
Analyse the continuous debate regarding the involvement of women in sex
work and illustrate the link between sex work and drug related crime by
referring to authoritative research.
Critically discuss the four legislative models that are used worldwide to
manage sex work, comment on the status quo in South Africa and provide
an opinion on the way forward
THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN IN
DRUG-RELATED CRIMES
Drug abuse seems to be a defining factor in female crime in the sense that it
is an almost omnipresent factor in the profiles of various types of women
offenders.
o Drug use is associated with female criminality than with male criminality.
Findings of female and male heroin users (Not SA):
o Young, black and other minority women were overrepresented.
These women are much younger than their white female
counterparts but were older than their male counterparts.
o Female heroin abusers were more likely than male addicts to be
separated, divorced or widowed.
They are much more likely to have children.
o Female heroin abusers reported more general disorganisation and
economic insecurity in their early family lives than men.
o Female heroin abusers often reported sexual abuse by fathers and other
male relatives.
o Women commit a variety of crimes to support their drug habit including
dealing drugs, sex work, shoplifting, burglary etc.
o Addiction to heroin changes sex work patterns for women.
Well-groomed and educated call girls are usually in higher paying
positions and are usually independent of pimps.
1
,KRM 320 Theme 4
Erin Polyblank
o Women heroin addicts suffer greater social stigma than men who are
heroin addicts
Findings of women addicted to crack-cocaine:
o Usually victims of extensive physical and sexual abuse that has motivated
them to become addicted to drugs.
o Addiction to crack-cocaine changed the patterns of sex work among their
participants.
Refers to the phenomenon of “crack house sex”.
They sell sex for drugs
Women often enter drug subcultures through their relationships with men.
Traditional roles identified in drug using:
o Middling: Women are used to bring parties in contact with each other to
negotiate high level organised drug deals between crime syndicates.
o Drug mules: People who transport drugs over international borders.
o Steerers/stouts: Typically street-based sex workers who refer clients to
places or people where drugs can be purchased.
o Coppers: Buy drugs on behalf of a client from a dealer and transactional
sex if often part of the deal.
Case study: Vanessa Goosen
Young woman in South Africa who was unconsensually drug mulled by a
“friend”.
She was 21 years old and pregnant when she was caught with 2 heroin
filled textbooks in bangkok.
She was sentenced to death and then was changed to life.
After 16 years she was given the kings pardon and released.
She now created a foundation that raises awareness for drug users and
mullers.
ARTICLE:
https://journals-co-za.uplib.idm.oclc.org/content/journal/10520/EJC-4a86f88a9
SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE
The paper examines the role of South African drug mules in cross-border
smuggling, looking at the drugs they carry, how they are recruited, how they
2
, KRM 320 Theme 4
Erin Polyblank
transport drugs, and the criminal networks that use them. It analyses South
Africa’s unique position in the global illicit drug trade, the socio-economic
vulnerabilities that lead to recruitment, and the difficulty of obtaining accurate
data on the phenomenon. The study explores criminological theories to explain
why people become drug mules, distinguishes between different mule types, and
outlines methods used by traffickers to conceal drugs and evade detection.
1. TYPES OF DRUGS, ORIGINS, AND DESTINATIONS
Types: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis
products.
Origins: South America (notably Brazil), West Africa, Southeast Asia.
Destinations: Europe, Asia, North America, and sometimes within Africa.
2. WHY SOUTH AFRICA IS SEEN AS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR ILLICIT DRUG
TRADE
Large, busy airports and seaports with high passenger and cargo volumes.
Well-developed transport and banking infrastructure.
Proximity to drug-producing and transit regions.
Relatively less strict profiling at borders compared to some countries.
Socio-economic inequalities create a vulnerable recruitment pool.
3. SOUTH AFRICA’S RANKING AND DIFFICULTIES IN ASCERTAINING
NUMBERS
Ranks 10th globally for citizens serving drug trafficking sentences abroad.
Exact numbers are hard to determine due to:
o Lack of centralised global database.
o Inconsistent reporting by foreign governments.
o Families often not reporting cases due to stigma.
4. MODES OF TRANSPORT USED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING
Commercial flights (most common).
Maritime cargo and shipping.
Overland transport via buses, cars, or trucks.
5. METHODS AUTHORITIES USE TO DETECT DRUGS
3
