MANILA Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos, Jr. warns Filipinos traveling to the Peoples Republic of China (PROC) that persons caught possessing and trafficking narcotic drugs into China face a stiff penalty of 15 years up to life imprisonment plus fines if caught.
Undersecretary Conejos issued the warning after receiving the report of Acting Head of Post Aileen S. Mendiola-Rau of the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, PROC about the sentencing of a Filipina who was caught smuggling heroin into Shanghai on 17 February 2007.
Acting Head of Post Mendiola-Rau said that the Filipina arrived in Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 17 February and was suspected of smuggling prohibited drugs into China during a routine customs check. When a search of her suitcase failed to yield anything, she was taken to a hospital for a CT scan. The scan revealed that she had abnormal capsule-shaped objects in her stomach and abdominal areas. Once they were excreted, they were found to be 63 capsules containing a total of 444.69 grams of heroin. The Filipina was subsequently detained and charged for violation of Chinese Criminal Law No. 347, Section 6, Article 1.
Based on the evidence presented and the Filipinas admission that she knew that she was transporting illegal drugs, the Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate Peoples Court sentenced her to 15 years imprisonment and a penalty of RMB30,000 (US$3,929). The court gave the Filipina the option to appeal her case but she has decided not to make an appeal.
Undersecretary Conejos calls on Filipino travelers to China not to attempt to smuggle drugs into the Peoples Republic as those caught carrying 50 grams or more of narcotic drugs could be sentenced to 15 years to life imprisonment. END
Pinoy Life Abroad
