New warning on drug mules

The Philippine Consulate Generals in Hong Kong and Macau have reiterated its warning to Filipinos to be extra wary of accepting offers from individuals or groups to carry illegal drugs in their luggage or in their person when going abroad.

Earlier, Hongkong and Macau airport authorities arrested Filipinos in three separate occasions there for alleged drug trafficking.

In Hong Kong, Consul General Claro Cristobal said authorities arrested two Filipinas on separate occasions for alleged drug trafficking.

The first arrest was made on June 2 when immigration authorities at Hong Kong International Airport refused entry of a Filipina.

As a customary procedure before deportation, her luggage was taken to the customs checking area for inspection.  Authorities reportedly found 1,040 grams of heroin hidden inside the soles of three pairs of shoes in her suitcase.  The estimated street value of the drugs was HK$930,000 (US$119, 500).

The Filipina is currently under custodial remand at Tail Lam Centre for women, and her case will be heard in Tsuen Wan Magistrate Court on September 2.

In a letter to the Consulate-General, the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department informed them of the arrest of another Filipina on June 24.  The said Filipina was charged with drug trafficking the next day and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to extract the drugs from her body cavity.  The doctors managed to extract about 876 grams of heroin from her body, with an estimated street value of HK$780,000 (US$100,300).

She is currently confined at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and will be brought for custodial remand at the Tai Lam Centre for Women.

“The Consulate-General will ensure that these Filipinas will have legal representation in all their court appearances and will continue to monitor the said cases,” Consul General Cristobal said.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General in Macau reported that a Filipina was arrested at the Macau International Airport on June 26 for allegedly smuggling almost one kilogram of drugs hidden in three pairs of sports shoes in her luggage.  The arrest was published as a headline of the Macau Post Daily.

“We have made arrangements with the Macau authorities to visit her and we will extend necessary legal assistance to her,” he said.

Consul General to Macau Renato Villapando said that they are concerned with the increasing number of Filipinos serving sentences in Macau for drug trafficking. The number of jailed Filipinos now stands to 17.

Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos has continuously issued warnings to Filipino travelers against becoming drug couriers.

“We warn our countrymen not to accept packages which they suspect are drugs.  If they are caught carrying illegal drugs, they will face very dire consequences,” he said.

Drug trafficking of 50 grams or more of illegal drugs in China is punishable by 15 years in prison, life imprisonment or death.  In Muslim countries, drug trafficking is punishable by death, according to Shariah law.