I am grateful to the Lord for comforting me in challenging situations.
I was extremely worried when my boyfriend didn’t come to see me. He is the man I love, and I know his temperament very well. When he can’t win an argument he becomes irritable, and I’m afraid my situation will affect him. Fortunately he has had support throughout this difficult time, and that brings me much relief.
I have now pleaded guilty, and I hope that the people who threatened me will release their grip and not harm my boyfriend and our children. Even now, I am still very distressed. I don’t know the extent of the harm these people can cause to my loved ones, and I don’t know if they are safe. I still feel lost and helpless. I dare not express my thoughts to anyone, including to my boyfriend. All I can do is pray and hope that the Lord’s presence will keep them healthy and safe.
If I were to refute or deny any of the charges, the sentence reduction would no longer be one-third. It is important to note that the court and legal aid are separate matters. I hope my boyfriend understands this.
I want more people to understand the importance of being cautious in any situation and with anyone they befriend. If they encounter a situation similar to mine, they must report it to the police. They should not keep things in their hearts like I did and let the wrongdoers go unpunished. That’s why I hope to share my thoughts through this campaign.
Now that I have pleaded guilty, my only option is to aim for a one-third sentence reduction:
1. I admit to being guilty, but I believe there is a separate issue within the case because I was coerced into participating.
2. I have never received any money from them.
3. I have no knowledge of the location of the drugs.
4. They threatened the lives of my family.
Finally, I hope that the judge will impose the minimum possible sentence on me. This is my wish, but the priority is to protect my family. I am not afraid of dying, but I don’t want to burden my family. Their safety is my first priority. I would rather spend 20 years in prison than have anything unfortunate happen to them.
Although I lack education and no one has taught me how to handle this situation, I am aware that if I caused a scene in court, the judge would likely treat it as a plea of not guilty, and the case would be transferred to the High Court. The legal aid would also cease to represent me.
I have no tears left to cry. I agree to participate in this anti-drug letter writing campaign because I don’t want more people to be affected by their poor choice of friends and end up ruining their lives or causing harm to those who love them.
I want more people to understand the importance of being cautious in any situation and with anyone they befriend. If they encounter a situation similar to mine, they must report it to the police. They should not keep things in their hearts like I did and let the wrongdoers go unpunished. That’s why I hope to share my thoughts through this campaign.
I turned 40 years old this year. I have always detested drugs ever since I was a child. None of my close relatives or friends use drugs, let alone engage in drug trafficking. I am a housewife. During my leisure time, I helped to purchase goods for my relatives and friends. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and everyone was happy.
Until the end of December 2020, I received a call from a friend whom I had known for 30 years. She asked me to help her pick up a package. Without hesitation, I went to the designated location and picked up the package for her. When I arrived at the specified place with the goods, I called her to ask what those things were. My friend refused to disclose any information, so I brought the items back home. At that time, I thought that with our long-standing friendship, she wouldn’t do anything to harm me. Thus, I didn’t think too much about it. I called her again when I arrived home and asked her once more about the goods. She finally told me that these were illegal items and instructed me not to tell anyone, including my family. I was furious. I repeatedly asked her how she could do such a thing to me, especially considering that she had witnessed the birth and growth of my two children. Would she be responsible for my children if things went wrong? I told her not to involve me in such matters in the future.Since that day, I also informed her not to contact me again and proceeded to block her number.
My peaceful life has been shattered since that day on. My friend sent two men to my house to threaten me because I refused to help her. They even threatened the lives of my two children, saying that if I didn’t assist her, they would harm my children when they were coming home from school. I was terrified and couldn’t tell anyone. I cried every day. I thought that by helping them, my children would be safe. I was weak and ignorant, and I didn’t know how to seek help from friends or the police.I continued to assist them, participating in activities that harmed society. I lived in fear every day, but for the sake of my children, I would leave the house and cry before carrying out their requests. I believed that by helping them, my children would be safe. It wasn’t until I was incarcerated that I truly understood the seriousness of the situation.
It has been three years since I spent Chinese New Year with my family. I miss them dearly and deeply regret my past ignorance and foolishness.
After reading my story, I hope you will consider not blindly offer help when someone asks you to do something, regardless of the nature of that request. Even if they are close friends or relatives, it is important not to be too quick to comply. Take the time to find out exactly what they are asking for first. If you have any doubts, confide in other friends or family members right away. Don’t keep it to yourself like I did. It is better to seek legal assistance if needed.
I have been incarcerated for over two years, unable to witness the growth and milestones of my two children. I deeply regret this and it will weigh on me for the rest of my life. I pray for the grace of the Lord to grant me a compassionate judge who values justice and mercy, allowing me to leave this sea of suffering and reunite with my family as soon as possible.
At least I still have my family, and there’s nothing more I could ask for.
Note: This letter has been translated and edited from its original in Chinese. Switch language to read the original letter.