Jun
10
By Erika Sauler
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — “One capsule, water, one capsule, water,” an arrested African drug mule told reporters on how he ingested a total of 60 capsules of shabu in an attempt to transport illegal drugs into the country.
Akilou Bassi, 30, a citizen of the Republic of Benin, was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation after he expelled 34 capsules and the substance was confirmed by forensic chemists to be shabu.
Jonathan Galicia, head of the NBI Reaction Arrest and Interdiction Division said this was the first time that a drug mule was arrested while the substance was still inside the body.
Galicia said Bassi, a member of a West African drug syndicate known for its international drug trade, swallowed 40 of the capsules while 20 were inserted to his anus. The African said he was offered $4,000 for the successful delivery of the drugs.
The NBI earlier received information that a drug mule would try to bring in illegal drugs. Bassi was intercepted on Friday by immigration officers at the airport when he could not explain the purpose of his visit. He was turned over to the NBI for investigation.
When Bassi complained of stomach problems, he was brought to the hospital for examination. An X-ray revealed the presence of several capsules in his stomach.
Bassi was then arrested and brought to the Manila City Prosecutor for charges of transportation and possession of dangerous drugs.
Galicia said the X-ray technology to detect drugs inside the body upon entry at the airport was not yet available in the country.
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