After leaving prison in Thailand, Mary Hellen Coelho Silva, resident of Pouso Alegre (MG), still faced difficulties returning to Brazil. Without resources to buy the plane ticket and faced with the lack of a solution to finance the return, family members organized a fundraiser and took out loans to raise around R$6,000, according to lawyer Kaelly Cavoli Moreira.
Mary Hellen foi presa em 2022 por tráfico internacional de drogas e permaneceu cerca de quatro anos e meio fora do Brasil. A saída da unidade prisional, beneficiada por um perdão real concedido, não significou o retorno imediato ao país de origem. Before boarding, she had to go through an immigration detention center, where, according to the lawyer, she faced a situation of uncertainty.
A compra da passagem, porém, não dependia apenas de encontrar um voo com preço acessível. Segundo Kaelly, havia exigências relacionadas à companhia aérea e à data de embarque. A família também teria enfrentado dificuldades para entender os procedimentos necessários e cumprir as orientações recebidas.
"It was money that was not something that was organized. It brought together a large part of the family so that they could raise money there and bring it back", he told g1.
Before organizing the fundraising, the family tried to find an alternative so that the trip could be paid for by the public authorities. According to Kaelly, they would have tried the possibility of requesting free assistance through the Federal Public Defender's Office (DPU), but the procedure did not progress.
The lawyer stated that the family members, who live in Pouso Alegre, had difficulty obtaining guidance. Eles decidiram arrecadar os valores diante da urgência e da falta de uma solução concreta para o pagamento.
Com o dinheiro reunido, a passagem foi comprada e encaminhada para viabilizar o embarque. After that, the family awaited confirmation of return and waited for the Brazilian at the airport. She arrived alone and without belongings on September 5, the day she turned 26.
In a note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that, through the Brazilian Embassy in Bangkok, it became aware of the case in 2022, when it was notified about it, and provided the necessary consular assistance, in light of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Brazilian Consular Regulation.
"The assistance included consular visits, granting small material assistance when necessary and maintaining direct and continuous contact with the prison authorities regarding the national's personal situation, in accordance with the Brazilian Consular Regulations", stated the note.
The ministry also informed that Brazil's consular activities are guided by international and national legislation. He also said that he does not disclose personal information about citizens who request consular services nor does he provide details about the assistance provided to Brazilians.
g1 contacted the DPU to obtain more information about the procedure, but did not receive a response until the last update of this report.
Since 2022, Mary Hellen has maintained good behavior during her period of incarceration and has been granted successive collective royal pardons by the Thai authorities.
The lawyer explained that these benefits depend on criteria defined by the country's authorities, which may vary depending on the type of conviction and the conditions provided for in each measure. The behavior, according to her, was an important factor for the Brazilian woman to meet the criteria.
"Mary Hellen, throughout her years in prison, maintained excellent behavior, which meant that she entered this round of royal pardon every time. She was very attentive, involved with the activities of the prison unit, really committed", explained the lawyer.
Over the years, the defense has also tried to seek alternatives to reduce the sentence, including a request for an individual royal pardon.
Back in Brazil, Mary Hellen tries to rebuild her life after around four and a half years away from her family. According to the lawyer, she is adapting to the changes that occurred during the period she was abroad.
During her incarceration, the Brazilian learned English and Thai. According to the lawyer, knowledge of languages can now help in resuming professional life and also in communicating with other Brazilians who face similar situations abroad.
The defense stated that it continues to offer support in practical matters, although legal action related to the case has entered another phase.
"She is working, but she is still getting her bearings. She spent four and a half years abroad, so a lot has changed and everything is still very new. I believe she will resume her studies. The fact that she came back speaking two languages, English and Thai, could be a differentiator", added the lawyer.
g1 contacted Mary Hellen to talk about the case, but she chose not to give an interview at the moment.
Mary Hellen Coelho Silva was arrested on February 14, 2022, at Bangkok airport, Thailand, along with another Brazilian. According to information released at the time, the two were carrying around 9 kilos of cocaine hidden in hidden compartments of three suitcases. A third suspect was arrested hours later with another 6 kilos of the drug.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Mary Hellen was raised in Pouso Alegre, in the south of Minas, where she lived with her mother and brothers before traveling abroad. At the time of her arrest, she was 21 years old and worked formally at a steakhouse in the city. She had left her job shortly before the trip.
During the period she was imprisoned, Mary Hellen lost her mother, Thelma Coelho, who died on April 13, 2024, in Pouso Alegre, while fighting cancer. At the time, the defense reported difficulties in communicating the death to the Brazilian, who maintained contact with the family mainly through letters. She also lost her grandfather during incarceration.
The arrest gained repercussions in Brazil due to the strictness of Thai laws for drug-related crimes. Depending on the quantity seized and the circumstances, trafficking can be punishable by death in the country.
On May 8, 2022, the Thai court sentenced Mary Hellen to 9 years and 6 months in prison, divided into two years for a civil crime and seven years and six months for a criminal crime. The sentence was announced in Brazil on May 11th.
