DDB taps PDEA in probing cases of OFWs used as drug couriers in China

MANILA, Philippines – The Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) has tapped the assistance of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in probing the alleged use of overseas Filipino workers as drug couriers for organized syndicates in China.

DDB chairman Vicente "Tito" Sotto said the growing number of OFWs entering China reportedly caught with several kilos of heroine has been alarming, with the socialist nation administering stricter measures particularly for Filipinos.

“We will ask PDEA to help in investigating these incidents and look deeper into them," Sotto told a press conference Wednesday at the agency’s office in Quezon City.

Fifty-two OFWs, most of them women, have been arrested by Chinese airport police for carrying illegal drugs from January to July this year. Of the 52, seven have already been convicted of drug trafficking, which is non-bailable offense and carries a penalty of death.

Sotto said that during their investigation, the modus operandi of the crime syndicates is to look for OFWs whose visas are about to expire and offer them to renew the travel documents in China plus US$1,000 to US$ 2,500 in exchange for smuggling substantial amount of heroine into the country.

He said such offer is tempting for OFWs who are working in China using tourist visas, which only affords a foreigner there a six-month to a year stay.

Sotto however said there is an existing policy by the government to not tolerate Filipinos who are caught for drug trafficking in other countries.

"If it's drug trafficking, you should not expect help from the government," he said. - GMANews.TV

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