NBI Rescued 2 Filipinas from African Drug Ring

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) rescued two Filipinas from a drug ring in Malaysia. Members of the group operating in the Philippines are now being hunted.

According to the NBI, the victims were recruited by an African drug ring that targets Filipinos who have financial problems and are fluent in English.

Victims were offered free trips to Malaysia and Hong Kong, with the promise of $5,000 in exchange for transporting packages between the two places. The group said the parcels contained legitimate Malaysian products ordered by Hong Kong businessmen.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the operation began in January when a Filipino drug mule was intercepted. This led to the investigation that revealed the group's connection to drug and human trafficking using Filipino couriers.

On Feb. 4, the Royal Malaysia Police's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) conducted Operation "Chiribaya" in Klang Valley, Malaysia together with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, NBI, and other authorities in Malaysia.

A female suspect from Sierra Leone and several members of an African drug ring were arrested. Seized was 2.3 kilos of cocaine valued at P15 million, hidden using black carbon paper and brown coating to avoid detection.

Even before the victims could transfer the drugs to Hong Kong, the NBI contacted the Philippine embassy in Malaysia and NCID to ensure their safety. The victims were repatriated on Feb. 5, who avoided possible drug-related charges in Malaysia.

After the operation, the NBI launched measures to identify and apprehend the members of the drug ring and its recruiters in the Philippines.