NBI rescues 2 Pinays from African drug ring

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has rescued two Filipino women from a drug ring in Malaysia and is now tracking down the group’s members operating in the Philippines.

The victims were allegedly recruited by the African drug ring, which targets financially distressed Filipinos fluent in English, the NBI said.

The group enticed the victims with offers of an all-expenses-paid trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, along with a promise of $5,000 each to transport packages between the two locations.

The recruits were assured that the parcel contained legitimate Malaysian products ordered by Hong Kong businessmen.

According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the operation began in January when authorities intercepted a Filipina drug mule, leading to an investigation that exposed the group’s involvement in drug and human trafficking using Filipino couriers.

On Feb. 4, the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), in collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the NBI, and other Malaysian law enforcement authorities, launched Operation “Chiribaya” in Malaysia’s Klang Valley area.

The coordinated efforts led to the arrest of a female suspect from Sierra Leone and the capture of several members of the African drug ring.

Authorities seized 2.3 kilos of cocaine valued at P15 million and concealed in black carbon paper and coated in brown substances to evade detection.

Before the victims could unknowingly transport the illegal drugs to Hong Kong, the NBI, with the assistance of the Philippine embassy in Malaysia, coordinated with the NCID to secure their safety.

The NBI repatriated the victims on Feb. 5, preventing them from facing drug charges in Malaysia.

Following the operation, the NBI launched efforts to identify and apprehend members of the drug ring and their recruiters operating in the Philippines.