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MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Embassy in Washington has warned Filipino travelers against drug trafficking, saying the United States now has improved customs examination, law enforcement capabilities and an expanded international cooperation to curb it.
In a travel advisory posted on its website, the embassy specifically advised the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers, to avoid becoming mules or in any way involved in the smuggling or trafficking of narcotics and illicit drugs.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, 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 been victimizing unsuspecting Filipino travelers who unwittingly became 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,” the embassy said.
It said that in other instances, mules were paid to carry narcotics or illicit drugs by concealing these items in their clothing, or by ingesting or swallowing small packets of narcotics or illicit drugs or insert them 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.
The embassy said that most countries have been imposing 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),” the embassy said.
A similar warning has also been issued by the Philippine embassy in South Korea which said that detection of concealed drugs have been made easy by modern technology at seaports and airports of various countries.
