This is the real story of a drug mule.
In 2019, I got an email that I would receive a compensation fund of $35,000,000 USD from the IMF, that I must travel to another country for processing and signing documents. I was told ‘RO’ is the administrative officer who’s handling my case. RO communicated with me on email and Whatsapp.
RO arranged me to fly to Seychelles and sent me documents to fill out. He would meet me in Hong Kong after my trip to Seychelles and scheduled my departure for December 10th, 2019. All the travelling costs were paid by them, including hotel, pocket money and insurance.
They sent $1,000 USD first to pay for the airfare. I requested a one week leave permission from work and my family.
10 December 2019
I start my travel to Seychelles and transit at Addis Ababa.
11 December 2019
Afternoon landing at Seychelles. I got a taxi to the hotel. The receptionist gave me a welcome drink and showed me to my room. I took a rest and watched TV all night because I can’t sleep. RO called me but he only asked me ‘How are you?’ and ‘Welcome to Seychelles.’
12 December 2019
I’m just waiting in the hotel. In the afternoon RO informed me that my ‘forum panel’ at the central office is over. I don’t need to go there, because I have an attorney and all my documents are complete. I will need to take the documents to Hong Kong then I can go back to my country. They already prepared my first payment of $500,000 USD which I will receive 72 hours after I get back to my country.
He also said that the ‘chief commissioner’ will bring the documents to Hong Kong on Monday, but need to bring him an official souvenir gift. RO asked me to collect the official souvenir from his friend at Addis Ababa airport when I am in transit there. He sent the photograph of his friend, and sent my boarding pass to fly from Seychelles to my country via Hong Kong. He gave me a hotel booking confirmation for Novotel Hong Kong. He told me I must hand-carry the official souvenir and stow it in the overhead compartment.
Checked out from the hotel. Took a taxi to pick up money to pay for the hotel, then go to the Airport in the afternoon.
18:00
I’m on board the flight from Seychelles to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.
Transiting at Addis Ababa Airport in the waiting hall at the departure gate. I met the guy who RO asked me to meet, he looks the same as in the photograph. He gave me a travel bag with a key and padlock. When I boarded my flight to Hong Kong, the attendant changed my seat from 59 to 11.
14 December 2019
Landed at Hong Kong International airport. At the arrivals terminal customs officers arrested me because they found powder inside the travel bag I was giving in Addis Ababa. I’m very confused and in panic because I really don’t understand what’s happening! They say it’s cocaine after they put it in blue liquid. I have never seen the white powder, I’m not a drug dealer. They took all my belongings too.
The officer says they want to do a sting operation, but I’m too tired. When I went to show them the photograph of the guy on my phone, I found that RO left our Whatsapp conversation. The officer took the travel bag apart and took two wrapped packs hidden inside the cover weighing around 2kg.
I spent the night in jail and the next night at a police station. I was then taken to court and later to Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre where I have been since.
I’m very sad because I was put in this situation without my consent. I lost my job, lost touch with my family, everything is lost.
I don’t know how long I will stay here, I only pray for a way to go back home to my Lord, because this time is very difficult. I can’t do anything for my family. I can’t sleep every night. I worry for them. I hope the Lord Jesus Chrsit answers my prayer to release me from this ordeal.
I’m not a trafficker of dangerous drugs. I read in the newspaper that many people are arrested and caught because of dangerous drugs. Like me, many others came from Africa and South America to Hong Kong. I don’t understand why drug lords target and use innocent people like us.
When I’m out, I want to become a volunteer to stop victims of dangerous drugs trafficking around the nation and the world.
Note: this letter has been edited for length and grammatical errors.
