2 Pinays carrying illegal drugs arrested at HK airport

MANILA, Philippines - Two Filipino women were arrested on Sunday at the Hong Kong airport for alleged drug trafficking, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong received an initial report from the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department that the two Filipinos were arrested on July 28 at the airport for alleged trafficking of dangerous drugs from Hong Kong to Clark, Pampanga.

“The initial report is they were apprehended in Hong Kong. We have the names but we do not disclose them for privacy reasons,” Hernandez said in a press briefing.

According to the report, the two Filipinas, aged 27 and 31 and possibly sisters, were found to be carrying 14.5 kilos of methamphetamine in false compartments in their suitcases. The drugs would have had a street value of $1.4 million or around P60 million.

The two women are being detained at the Tai Lam Centre for Women.

“The Filipinos are yet to be charged in court, but there was a court mention of the case earlier today,” Hernandez said.

“The next hearing has been for October. As with other drug trafficking cases, the Philippine government will extend all appropriate consular assistance to the said nationals,” he added.