Pregnant Filipino nabbed at Bali airport

MANILA, Philippines -- A pregnant Filipino was arrested at the Bali International Airport in Indonesia on suspicion that she is part of an international drug trafficking syndicate.

Maria Cecilia Lopez was arrested by a customs officer at the Ngurah Rai (Bali) International Airport customs officer, after she was caught swallowing 41 capsules containing 324.87 grams of methamphetamine with approximate street price of US$65,000.

"It seems that this is a new mode with the intention of fooling officers. They probably expect that pregnant women receive less harsh treatment from officials," said Custom Head of Supervision Bali Made Wijaya last Monday in
Denpasar. "The illicit substance is now being distributed using pregnant woman as couriers," he added.

To convince the officer that she was indeed pregnant, Mary showed the customs agent a doctor's certification and X-ray results that confirm her pregnancy.

Authorities noted that Lopez, who arrived in Bali last April 15 aboard Thai Airways flight number TG 431 from Bangkok, Thailand, to Denpasar was moving suspiciously, prompting officials to subject her to investigation.

Customs officials had her undergo X-ray examination when they discovered that her abdomen was unusually hard unlike normal pregnant condition.

The result of the X-ray examination later showed suspicious objects in her stomach, shaped like capsules, Wijaya said.

Her case is now with the Bali Police. (www.jakartaupdates.com)