(Riyadh, 19 October 2013) - The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh warns all Filipinos in the Kingdom against receiving packages or parcels from unknown or untrusted senders as they may contain illegal drugs.

The Embassy issues this warning following an increasing number of cases of Filipinos being arrested immediately after receiving packages or parcels suspected to contain illegal drugs. The Filipinos were immediately arrested by police after presenting theiriqamas to collect packages suspected of containing illegal drugs from courier companies.

Filipinos in the Kingdom are advised NOT to provide their personal information to other persons, specifically the Saudi residence permit (iqama) and mobile numbers.

Filipinos are especially warned against accommodating requests from any individual who claim that his or her iqama is still being processed and needs the iqama number of the unsuspecting Filipino to receive a package coming from the Philippines.

A common practice among these nefarious individuals is to use social media, such as Facebook, to befriend the victim and later on request the latter to receive a package to be given to another person who is in the Kingdom.

The Embassy is coordinating with police and customs authorities in the Philippines to prevent this illegal activity.

Possession and use of illegal drugs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a serious criminal offense under Saudi law. The importation or smuggling into the Kingdom of illegal drugs or its precursors is a crime punishable by death. END