SINGAPORE: In just four months, a dozen Singapore women have
been caught here and elsewhere for making drug runs after they were
persuaded to do so by West African men, who seduced them with love,
money and offers of travel.
In the five years between 2003 and 2007, only eight female drug
mules were caught.
The sudden surge in numbers was revealed by the Central
Narcotics Bureau (CNB) Monday, in a warning to women not to be
fooled.
Last December, five were arrested overseas. Barely three months
into the year, seven more have been arrested, including two who are
staring at the death penalty after being stopped before they left
Singapore.
In a statement, the CNB said, “Singaporeans should not allow
themselves to be made use of by foreign drug syndicates and should
reject any suspicious offer of free travel or paid holidays.”
The instigators were described as members of West African drug
syndicates who were mostly Nigerians aged between 20 and 30. Some
claimed to be businessmen who dealt in used cars or electronic
goods.
Based on investigations, the syndicate members approached women
in public places such as pubs or on social networking websites, and
befriended them.
“Many of these female Singaporean drug couriers were cajoled
into carrying out the drug runs, with promises of love and
friendship or inducement of free holidays or cash payment,” said
the CNB.
Typically, the women were told to fly from Singapore to another
country to pick up the drug stash, and then on to a third to drop
it off.
The Straits Times reported last month that some women
were stopped at airports of countries including Japan, Britain,
Argentina, China and Australia, with drugs like heroin and cocaine.
-- ANN/
The Straits
Times
lol.. too easy. ;p