NBI rescues 2 Pinays from being couriers of African drug syndicate

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it managed to avoid a case similar to Mary Jane Veloso’s after its agents rescued two Filipino women from becoming drug couriers in Malaysia, Bureau Director Jaime Santiago said Thursday.

Santiago said the two Pinays were recruited by an African drug syndicate that is taking advantage of Filipinos who are in financial distress. 

“Pinapapunta sa Malaysia. All expenses paid at $5,000 kung matutuloy ang trabaho. So from Malaysia bibigay sa kanila ‘yung drugs, dadalhin sa Hong Kong,” Santiago said in a press briefing.

(They were instructed to go to Malaysia. All expenses paid and $5,000 [approximately P290,000] if they will succeed. So from Malaysia, they were handed the drugs, to be brought to Hong Kong.)

“Sinabi ko sa kanila, mas mabuti mailigtas natin ‘yung mga naging biktima na naging Pilipino kesa mag karoon na naman tayo ng another Veloso case, no?” he added.

(I told [the NBI agents], it would be better to rescue these victims instead of having another Veloso case.)

According to the NBI chief, they discovered the African drug syndicate in a follow-up operation following the arrest of another drug courier in January.

When Santiago found out that two Filipinas were hired to serve as drug couriers, he sent two agents to intercept them and to coordinate with the Malaysian police.

“Nahuli ‘yung female drug mule doon sa Malaysia before na maipasa pa nila ‘yung drugs, cocaine, dito sa ating mga Pilipina na bine-victimize nila,” he said.

(The female drug mule was arrested in Malaysia before they could hand over the drugs, cocaine, to the Filipino victims.)

Meanwhile, NBI agent Atty. Henry Kanapi said the two victims were told that they would be given a suitcase for them to use. 

The two women told Kanapi that they did not know the suitcase concealed narcotics.

“Yes, yes. That’s why they are victims,” Kanapi said.

According to Santiago, the two Filipinas will have no legal accountability over the incident as they are considered victims.  He also confirmed that they will be immediately released.

“Yes, but they are under counselling. Bibigyan natin sila ng counselling para maintindihan nila na hindi dapat,” he said.

Aside from this, Santiago said the NBI is looking into the individual who recruited the two victims. 

“Nakikipag tulungan ngayon itong dalawa para ma identify namin ‘yun at mahuli natin. That Filipina is in cahoots with (an) African drug syndicate,” he said.

(These two women are helping us to identify their recruiter and arrest her. That Filipina is in cahoots with an African drug syndicate.) —RF, GMA Integrated News