I am a 29-year-old married woman with a 9-year-old daughter. In 2020, I moved to Hong Kong to work as a domestic helper, hoping to improve my family’s financial situation. Unfortunately, while here, I encountered serious financial problems.
A trusted friend borrowed my work contract and passport to use as loan collateral. When this friend disappeared, I was left responsible for the substantial debt. Since my documentation was used as collateral, I had no choice but to assume responsibility for repaying everything.
My employer eventually discovered my financial troubles when the bank sent a late payment notice to their address. This led to my termination. Finding a new employer proved extremely difficult due to the lengthy process, so I resorted to working illegally as a restaurant cleaner or dishwasher. However, these jobs paid too little to cover both my debt payments and living expenses.
While searching for additional income, I met a 35-year-old Indonesian who seemed helpful, initially offering me simple jobs collecting packages from post offices and other locations. When I confided about my debt problems, my friend offered to help clear my debts. Desperate for assistance, I accepted the offer without properly considering the risks involved in this arrangement.
Instead of receiving what was promised, I ended up with regret. I am detained on charges of trafficking dangerous drugs.
The fateful parcel
I was asked by this new friend to pick up a parcel. I had done the same in two previous occasions without any issues. But the third time was different. My friend gave me an address in a far away location. This was the first time I picked up a package from a person, a black man. I was a little hesitant at first but because I had already agreed, I finally took it. My friend only said, “Please help me pick up the package and you will be given a $300 payment because the pick-up is very far.”
This amount was higher than what I had received on previous occasions, which ranged from $100-$150.
After the man gave me the package I got in touch with my friend. The package was too heavy, so I asked for a hired van so I could take the package back. Instead my friend gave another location to drop off the package. This was unusual, unlike the previous times when I would meet my friend at the house or at a restaurant.
I arrived at my destination around 1 or 2pm on Friday, August 26, 2023. It had not been 5 minutes after I got out of the van, when a group of about seven plain-clothes officers approached me and searched me. I was told that the parcel I was carrying contained 2,900 grams of the drug known as Ice. This was the first time I had ever seen drugs, so I was shocked.
I was told that I was charged with the distribution of dangerous drugs and I now face a maximum of 24 years in prison.
I tried to contact my friend, but the phone number couldn’t be reached anymore and now I’m paying the price. I deeply regret the foolish decisions I made. I have lost so much—living in prison without being able to see my family, without internet access, without friends, and being very far from home.
To my friends and relatives: please be careful. Do not touch or trade dangerous drugs. Be cautious when choosing friends and find legitimate employment. Avoid people who use drugs, as they can ruin your life, your family, and your future.
No matter how heavy life gets, stay on the correct path or you will lose everything, your family and your life.
I promise myself that after I am released, I will become a good person again. I will never touch or have anything to do with drugs again.
Note: This letter has been translated and edited to improve the clarity of the story. To read the original letter please switch language to Bahasa Indonesia.