Filipino Travelers Warned Against Involvement in Drug Trafficking
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs),
including seafarers, and Filipino nationals traveling overseas are
strongly advised to take necessary precautions to avoid involvement in
the smuggling or trafficking of narcotics and illicit drugs.
International criminal syndicates operating in the Philippines, China
(including Hong Kong and Macau), Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan,
Turkey, and other countries in Asia, Middle East, and South America have
victimized unsuspecting Filipino travelers and have also succeeded in
recruiting Filipino nationals to work as drug couriers or "mules".
These criminal syndicates employ Africans and various Asian nationals,
including Filipinos, who try to convince unsuspecting travelers to carry
luggage or parcels containing narcotics. The syndicates also try to
recruit travelers (especially those who are in need of money) to work
for them as drug couriers or "mules".
Travelers, tourists, or OFWs are approached by members of criminal
syndicates and are offered attractive amounts of cash if they will carry
luggage or parcels for delivery to a certain person at their point of
destination. These items of luggage or parcels invariably contain
narcotics or illicit drugs.
In other instances, Filipino travelers are recruited as drug couriers or
"mules" and are paid to carry narcotics or illicit drugs by concealing
these items in their clothing. Other couriers or "mules" ingest or
swallow small packets of narcotics or illicit drugs or insert these
inside their body cavities.
From January to July this year, 116 Filipino travelers were intercepted
and arrested at various airports in other countries for drug
trafficking, as follows: China (including Hong Kong and Macau) - 52;
Middle East - 19; other Asian countries - 8; United States - 7; Latin
America - 20; and, Europe - 10.
Filipino travelers should be aware that improved customs examination and
law enforcement capabilities (particularly in drug trafficking) in many
countries, as well as expanding international cooperation in the fight
against drug trafficking, is helping many countries intercept narcotics
and illicit drugs at ports of entry.
Filipino travelers should also be aware that most countries impose harsh
penalties for drug smuggling or trafficking. Persons arrested and
convicted for drug smuggling or trafficking can expect a lengthy prison
sentence, at the very least. In many countries, the maximum penalty of
life imprisonment can be imposed for this crime. In some countries, drug
smuggling or trafficking is a capital offense with the maximum penalty
of death.
Filipino nationals are urged to exercise caution in their travels
overseas and to report any incident involving offers such as those
indicated above to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),
Hotline No. 920-0967 (if they are in the Philippines) or to the nearest
Philippine Embassy or Consulate (if they are overseas). END