2 Pinoys caught with P100 million heroin in Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipino tourists were detained by the Taiwan police upon their arrival at the Kaohsiung International Airport in Taiwan for allegedly carrying P100 million worth of high-grade heroin, an official said yesterday.

Rolando Gozo of Lucena, Quezon and a still unidentified person from Bulacan were reportedly caught with 9.7 kilos of the drug, according to Silvestre Bello III, head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.

Bello announced in a radio interview that he informed President Marcos about the incident.

He said the government has provided legal assistance to the tourists, who face either life in prison or a death sentence due to the volume of illegal drugs seized.

Bello said the Filipinos’ lawyers have yet to determine their clients’ motive in bringing the heroin to Taiwan.

He warned Filipinos going to Taiwan not to engage in illegal activities due to the government’s strict enforcement of laws and the harsh penalties it metes out.