OFWs warned on being used as drug mules

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday reiterated its warning to Filipino migrant workers, seafarers and even those traveling abroad to avoid involvement in narcotics trafficking following a report on the execution in China of a Japanese for smuggling drugs.

PDEA chief Director General Dionisio Santiago has repeatedly issued advisories for all Filipino travellers not to accommodate any requests to carry baggage from strangers because these may contain dangerous and prohibited drugs. Santiago advised travelers to personally inspect the contents before agreeing to bring any baggage by request. He said Filipinos caught transporting illegal drugs can be meted the death penalty even if they did not know they were carrying such dangerous substances.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing recently reported that a Japanese was caught smuggling 2.5 kilos of narcotics from China to Japan in 2006. He was executed on April 6. Santiago expressed concern over the increasing number of Filipinos, who are wittingly or unwittingly lured by West African drug syndicate members to become drug couriers. According to the agency, international drug groups operating in Asia, the Middle East and South America employ West Africans who tap unsuspecting travellers in need of money as drug couriers or “mules”.