'Some jobless OFWs becoming drug mules' abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/17/2008 10:49 PM An increasing number of overseas Filipino workers who are out of jobs have become couriers of illegal drugs, a fact discovered following the arrest of seven Philippine nationals in Malaysia who are believed to be members of a West African drug syndicate. According to a suspect identified only as "Cherry," some OFWs have become drug mules, specifically cocaine and heroin, to China and Europe. Cherry was rescued in Kuala Lumpur on September 12 after agreeing to become an informant. Cherry said that the drugs are put inside condoms and similar packaging and then secreted in body cavities or are swallowed by the couriers to evade detection by authorities. The couriers are then paid $2,000 to $3,000 for their services. Based on information provided by Cherry and "Ben," another informant, the Royal Malaysian Police raided the syndicate's hideout in Kuala Lumpur. Nine syndicate members, including Cherry's Nigerian boyfriend Topo Tsewelelo, were arrested, along with seven Filipinas. The Filipinas will face charges in Malaysia. Cherry said that jobless OFWs fall for this illegal trade for the money. "Dahil nga sa walang trabaho, may problema dito sa Pilipinas, may sakit ang mga anak, kumakagat sila sa mga ganung trabaho," she said. "They are offered free tickets, and $2000 pocket money," said National Bureau of Investigation director Nestor Mantaring. "Pupunta ka roon, makakapasok ka, and you end up jobless. These are the things being taken advantage of by these syndicate," Dionisio Santiago of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said. The NBI and the PDEA will also work with Malaysian authorities to save more than 60 OFWs being used as couriers of illegal drugs. With a report from Alex Santos, ABS-CBN News as of 09/17/2008 11:03 PM
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1 :
This is not really news as it has been going on for donkeys years...in fact two British girls have just been jailed in Jamaica for drug smuggling saying that they did so because they wanted the money.
2 :
the problem is greed. the mules knew that they will be carrying dangerous drugs , this means that they will be in trouble if got caught. Some countries have the death sentencing for such acts. They the mules are not the kingpin. kingpin will certainly pays off the malaysian police ( even it is a court case ) . the drugs or the evidence mysteriously vanishes. being jobless is not the end of the world. by distributing illicit drugs you ends a lot of life.
