are-ten-years-worth-ten-thousand-dollars

Are ten years worth ten thousand dollars?

In April 2019, a friend called me, asking me to help him bring a backpack from Macau to Hong Kong. He said he was not available to do it himself, and would give me $10,000 as remuneration when done. For the money – as well as for helping my friend – I brought the backpack to Hong Kong. In Macau, I asked him repeatedly what drug it was. He assured me that it was just medicinal powder.

At that time, my mind went blank. I had no choice but to follow his instructions.

So, I brought the backpack and took a speed ferry to Hong Kong. At the Hong Kong ferry terminal, I passed through Immigration Control. Then, a Customs officer asked me to put down the backpack for X-ray scanning. I followed his instruction thinking it was only medicinal powder inside. After X-ray scanning, the Customs officer opened my backpack, took the powder out, told me he suspected that I had brought forbidden dangerous drugs into Hong Kong, and arrested me. At that time, my mind went blank. I had no choice but to follow his instructions. I was detained on 30th April 2019 for bringing dangerous drugs into Hong Kong. I’m waiting for further investigation and court trial.

In the past 6 months, I have suffered deeply from the loss of my personal freedom. I sorely miss my family in Malaysia. At first, tears washed my face every day because I used to enjoy a decent living, only to find myself locked up all of a sudden in a prison in an unknown country. Food and life are entirely different. It is difficult to get sleep, and I am still in the process of adapting to living habits here.

In my case, I may have to face a 10-year imprisonment. Upon reflection, I have learned to treasure my dear ones. I should not aim for quick money, but should think clearly before I act. I should not just listen to others, but should learn to analyze myself. In future, I should keep my feet firmly grounded and not aim for a quick buck because once you step over the line, you are going to regret it your whole life.

NO MORE MULES: It’s easy to fall prey. Watch this video to learn one of the many ways drug traffickers operate in Asia and use others for their trade. Follow us on Facebook and share this story so others don’t fall victim.

Note: This letter has been translated and edited from its original language in Chinese.