Pinay nabbed for cocaine possession in Malaysia

A Filipina could be meted the death sentence after she was arrested last Wednesday in Malaysia for possessing five kilos of cocaine valued at $540,000, believed to be one of the largest drug busts in that country.

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday that Malaysian authorities handling the case identified the Filipina as Jaquiline Nino Quiemno, 25, a native of San Fernando City in La Union.

The embassy said Quiemno was arrested last June 29 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after she was found with five kilos of cocaine in her bag. She was on a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Kuala Lumpur.

Chargé d’affaires Luis Cruz said Malaysian authorities also informed the embassy that Quiemno’s cooperation with the police and narcotics officials has led to several other arrests.

He added that Malaysian authorities are now looking for possible links to larger drug syndicate operations in the region.

The DFA said the embassy is working closely with Malaysian authorities to extend all possible assistance to Quiemno, whose relatives in the Philippines have been informed of her arrest and the developments in the drug charges against her.