Kenyan charged for transporting drugs

CEBU, Philippines - The Kenyan woman arrested for drug possession has been charged before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Asha Atieno Ogutu, 24, faces charges for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or transportation of dangerous drugs.

Ogutu denied she knew she was carrying three kilos of shabu in her luggage.

“I don’t know that I am carrying shabu because this bag was handed to me by Josh when I was in Bernin (in the west part of Africa),” Ogutu said.

She added “Josh” approached her and told that her backpack bag was not good to look at and gave her a traveling bag which she described as a “nice bag”.

“It’s Ray who processed my documents and stay here in Cebu at one of the hotels in Lapu-Lapu City, Ray told me to call her when I arrived in Cebu,” she said.

Ogutu added she did not know where Cebu was, but “Ray” told her that it was part of the Philippines.

Ogutu said she was recruited by Ray who sold malongs, he was allegedly introduced to her by a friend. It was Ray who told her to go to Bernin and there she met Josh.

NBI-7 Regional Director Edward Villarta said the shabu was not intended for Cebu but to be taken to another country.

He said they received information from the NBI Central Office in Manila to apprehend her upon arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport onboard Qatar Airways Flight 656 from Doha, Qatar, last Thursday.

Assistant Regional Director Lauro Reyes said Ogutu, whom he described as a typical drug mule, is lucky we no longer have the death penalty here.

The case filed against Ogutu is non-bailable and carries the sentence of reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years imprisonment.

Ogutu said she intended to stay in Cebu for a week before flying back to Kenya. She has no relatives and friends here.

Meanwhile, PDEA-7 director Jigger Montallana said Ogutu is part of an Africa-based international drug syndicate called the West African drug syndicate.

Montallana said this group also sends Filipino’s overseas to deliver drugs. 

However, because of frequent interceptions in various countries of Filipino drug carriers, the syndicate is trying other strategies.   

“Nahihirapan na sila with Filipino couriers that is why they are shifting now with their own nationality,” he said.

The said syndicate considers the Philippines a very good market where they can sell drugs at a higher price compared to other countries in the region.

Aside from West African drug syndicate, they are also eyeing an Iran-based drug syndicate which might expand to the Philippines soon.

“What were having are the names of the recruiters lalo na ang mga Pilipino and other nationalities, mostly they are based in Thailand,” he said. (FREEMAN)