The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has advised Filipinos traveling to the Special Administrative Region not to carry luggage for other people, in exchange for a free trip or a fee.
“Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong are advised to
carry only luggage that was personally packed with all contents accounted for,”
said the PCG advisory issued Monday.
“This is to ensure that instances of persons
becoming unwitting mules for illicit substances (i.e. illicit drugs, endangered
species, vape) will be avoided.”
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| DETAILS HERE |
The warning came as at least two Filipino tourists
appeared in court recently on charges of drug trafficking, one of the most
serious offences under Hong Kong laws, for which the maximum penalty is life
imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 million.
There could be more, as press statements from Hong
Kong Customs and Excise Bureau report of drug-related apprehensions being made
at the airport, mainly from travelers from Bangkok and more recently, from
Cambodia.
The number of drug-related arrests spiked soon after
the pandemic, and appears to have become even more frequent in recent months, involving
millions of dollars’ worth of drugs.
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In one of the recent cases, a 28-year-old Filipina
tourist who listed her occupation as “freelancer” was arrested on Oct. 18 last
year after she flew in from Bangkok, allegedly with 15.5 kilos of marijuana
worth more than $3 million in her checked-in baggage.
Ma. Cristina Fernandez remains in jail and is due to
appear again in court on Mar 11.
Separately, 27-year-old Filipino tourist Clay John
Tianzon appeared in West Kowloon Court last Feb. 11, charged with bringing in
9.2 kg of suspected cannabis buds worth around $2 million, apart from an “alternative
smoking product” or vape.
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| Sample of cannabis buds seized at the airport by customs agents |
Tianzon is charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug contrary to sections 4(1)(a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and importing an alternative smoking product contrary to Section 13B of the Import and Export Ordinance.
Like Fernandez, the defendant who is a photographer,
had flown in from Bangkok on July 25 last year.
Both were remanded in jail after their hearing, and
given the gravity of the charges against them, would most likely have their
cases transferred to the High Court.
