The trial didn’t take long. With the evidence stacked against us—the drugs, the money, and even my own confession—I was sentenced to 15 years in King Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

David Fernando, the mastermind behind the operation, received a life sentence. His criminal history, including past jail escapes, worked against him.

The two Americans, caught buying the drugs, were charged heavily. Although they faced jail time, their lawyers managed to reduce their sentences with a hefty bail of 500,000 Rand.

As I stood in the courtroom, listening to the judge’s verdict, I felt the weight of my choices crash down on me. I had disappointed my family, my friends, and myself.