Gov't won't assist Pinoys involved in illegal drugs trade abroad - Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – Following the arrest of Filipino women working as “drug mules" in Malaysia, Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday warned overseas Filipino workers that the government will not assist nationals involved in illegal drug abroad.

In a statement, Sotto told OFWs to be wary of offers by drug syndicates for them to be employed as drug couriers "in exchange for easy or huge amount of money."

Sotto noted that it is the government's policy "that no help will be giving to any Filipinos involved in illegal drugs."

Nine Filipino women working as illegal couriers for a foreign drug ring were among those arrested by joint Philippine and Malaysian agents who staged a cracked down on a Nigerian drug syndicate operating in Kuala Lumpur.

An earlier radio report over dzBB said the women were employed to transport illegal drugs to various countries. The raids on the Nigerian drug syndicate were conducted in three areas in Kuala Lumpur.

Philippine ambassador to Malaysia Victoriano Lecaros said the Filipinas were recruited to swallow the drugs and smuggle them to Argentina , Brazil , China and other Asian countries.

Initial investigation showed the gang would entice Filipino women via Internet chats to go to Malaysia and earn up to $3,000 (P140,700) per trip.

The gang would even pay for the Filipino women's flight to Kuala Lumpur . Once they arrive, they are briefed on the gang's plans.

The NBI learned of the operation after one member bolted the operation and told about it. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

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