2 FILIPINAS RECRUITED AS COURIERS OF AFRICAN DRUG SYNDICATE RESCUED IN MALAYSIA

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescued in Malaysia two Filipinas who were recruited by a suspected African Drug Syndicate to become drug mules.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they were able to save the duo and brought them back to the Philippines.

In a press conference, the NBI presented the two Filipinas, whose faces were covered and names withheld, after being repatriated last February 5 following a rescue operation conducted by the local police in Malaysia.

According to Santiago, the Malaysian police also arrested a female African courier and seized from her 2.3 kilograms of cocaine.

“The arrest was made before that courier could give the cocaine to the two Filipinas,” Santiago said.

Seized were 2.3 kilograms of cocaine valued at P15 million, which was 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 help of the Philippine embassy in Malaysia, coordinated with the the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) to secure their safety.

The NBI repatriated the  two Pinays , preventing them from facing drug charges in Malaysia.

Santiago said they are working to identify and arrest the Filipina recruiter who hired the two women.

The NBI chief added that the rescue operation was to avoid another Mary Jane Veloso case.

Veloso was sentenced to death after being caught at an Indonesian airport in 2010 with 2.6 kilograms of heroin.

She eventually escaped the death sentence and managed to return to the Philippines last December after the Malaysian government decided to have her serve her prison term in her home country.