3 Pinays meted out jail terms for drug trafficking in HK

Three Filipinas were convicted and sentenced to long jail terms for drug trafficking in Hong Kong, one of whom had small plastic bags of cocaine inside her body, according to the Philippine Consulate General there.

The three, all of whom pleaded guilty, were sentenced by the High Court of Hong Kong to imprisonment of 14, 12 and eight years, respectively, according to a release posted on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The first Filipina was arrested by customs authorities at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on February 20 last year, after 1.2 kilograms of a drug mixture containing 750 grams of heroin were found in her luggage. The drugs were concealed in four books the Filipina carried with her from Malaysia, which were allegedly given to her by another Filipino who arranged her trip.

The Filipina was represented by a Hong Kong law firm and was sentenced to 14 years in jail.

Sentenced to 12 years in prison is another Filipino who arrived also from Malaysia on June 10 last year. She was arrested at HKIA after authorities found in her luggage 380 grams of heroin hidden inside the buttons of 16 pieces of clothing.

The Filipina was reportedly offered $1,000 (P45,760) also by another Filipino based in Malaysia to bring the items to Hong Kong.

A third Filipina was sentenced to eight years in jail. She was arrested at HKIA on June 1 last year after 260 grams of cocaine were found inside her body.

The Filipina was immediately brought to a hospital upon her arrest, where small plastic packets containing the drugs were extracted.

Under Hong Kong law, drug trafficking is considered a serious offense, with penalties including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of up to HK$5 million (P29.5 million).
The Consulate General thus reiterated its calls for Filipinos travelling abroad not be duped into serving drug couriers.

The Consulate General also recommended the enhancement of cooperative efforts between Philippine security officials and their counterparts in other jurisdictions to take further actions n preventing Filipinos from becoming part of the drug trade.

The three Filipinas’ conviction came after the DFA disclosed that 66 Filipinos, 53 of whom are women, are on China’s death row over drug related charges. [See: 66 Pinoys face death in China over drug charges]

While remaining part of China, Hong Kong's status is defined as a special administrative region, with a legal system that operates independently and follows the English common law being a former British colony.

In 1993, Hong Kong officially abolished the death penalty, and life imprisonment is now the most severe punishment. – Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV

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