3 of 4 Pinay tourists found guilty of drug charges

High Court

THREE of the four Filipina tourists who were charged over bringing about $2.5-million worth of cocaine from the Philippines to Hong Kong in 2015.

Voting unanimous, a jury of seven persons  on Nov. 14 found defendants Shirley Chua, Remelyn Roque, and Ana Loella Creus guilty after a 16-day trial at the High Court.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old Maricel T., a mother of of three, was acquitted of the two charges of trafficking in a dangerous drug and conspiracy to traffic dangerous drug.

Maricel sobbed and cried  after hearing the jury’s verdict. She inquired from High Court Judge Audrey Campbell-Moffat whether she would be released soon. Her lawyer said they would inquire from authorities about her status.

Judge Moffat adjourned the sentencing of the three other defendants to Jan. 18.

Chua and Maricel were intercepted on Sept. 25, 2015 at the Hong Kong International Airport, and their suitcases  yielded 2.5 kilos of the suspected illegal drug.

The Customs Drug Investigation Bureau conducted a follow-up operation and arrested another two women “who were involved in the case and trying to depart Hong Kong at airport.”

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty for the offense  is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.