Drug mules alert after Macau bust

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines (DFA) appealed to all Filipinos to avoid accepting offers to carry illegal drugs in their luggage when going abroad after two citizens were recently arrested in Macau.
DFA warned that people might face harsh penalties in their destinations if they agreed to carry drugs in exchange for money. In its report to the DFA, the Philippine Consulate General in Macau said the Judiciary Police arrested a Filipino male and a female on February 1.
The two were apprehended in an apartment with 46 grams of methamphetamine, popularly known as ‘ice’. The drugs have an estimated street value of MOP 90,000. Drug paraphernalia was also found in the apartment.
A suspected buyer, also a Filipino, was brought in for questioning as well.
In addition, the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Manila, has advised departing overseas Filipino workers to avoid accepting such offers or they might end up being used as drug mules by big-time drug syndicates.
“We have to remind our countrymen working abroad. Indeed, we are undertaking comprehensive and proactive measures to address the drug-mules issue and to prevent similar incident victimizing Filipinos by international drug syndicates,” said Tess Roque, deputy collector for passenger services at the airport.
Consulate officials also extended assistance to the Filipinos to ensure that their rights are respected and have been coordinating with Macau authorities on the matter, according to media reports. There are some 19 Filipinos currently detained in the MSAR on drug cases.
In a statement, the DFA said that the Philippine government has a strong anti-illegal drug policy, and is closely cooperating with law enforcement agencies in other countries and territories on anti-drug trafficking efforts.