2 Pinoys nabbed in Iran for smuggling drugs

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipinos were apprehended by Iranian authorities for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs to Iran, an embassy report said yesterday.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine embassy in Iran said the two yet unnamed Filipinos were duped into traveling to Iran for high-paying jobs, in exchange for transporting a package along with their luggage. Iranian customs authorities found that the package contained illegal drugs.

Under the Sharia or Islamic law, drug smuggling is punishable by life imprisonment or death by hanging.

The government advised the public to check job offers in Iran with the Department of Labor and Employment or the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.        – Pia Lee-Brago