Ugandan woman arrested in Philippines with 'meth'

By Steven Candia

A 53-year-old Ugandan woman allegedly nabbed with a pack of a banned drug worth over 22.5 million Philippine Pesos (about sh 1.3b) has been detained in Manila, Philippines.

Media reports indicate that Josephine Balikuddembe was arrested on Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as she tried to smuggle 4.5 kilos of  methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu or and in many places world over, as meth or ice.  

Balikuddembe, who Philippines security suspect to be part of an African drug syndicate, was arrested moments after she had alighted from an Emirates flight from Dubai at 10.30pm.

Prior to the suspect's arrest, authorities said they had received a tip from a foreign counterpart agency about the attempt to smuggle the drugs.

 Media reports quoted airport authorities as saying the woman was given away by her suspicious conduct while claiming her luggage from the conveyor.

The drugs were detected by a drug-sniffing dog deployed at the airport, prompting agents of the Customs Task Force on Dangerous Drugs and Controlled Chemicals (TFDDCC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to intercept her. 

 Customs officials at the airport said it took them a while to dismantle Balikuddembe’s suitcase and access the drugs packed in a brown plastic envelope, placed in between a double layer of hard plastic.

The drugs could not be detected on ordinary inspection.

"If it were not for the advance information we got, it would be hard to suspect that her suitcase contained drugs. It was difficult to remove the seal of the bag and its many screws," said one official.

Balikuddembe, during interrogation reportedly denied knowledge of the contents of her suitcase, claiming it was only lent to her by some relative, one Martin Echuku.

"He delivered an empty suitcase to me , I did not suspect something was hidden inside. I do not know anything about those drugs, he just brought to me his suitcase that I can use in going to the Philippines," she told officials.

Balikuddembe claimed Echuku also told her that upon her arrival at the Philippine airport, she must take a cab and proceed immediately to a hotel located in Ayala Alabang, where someone would pick her up and take her around.

Also seized from her was $300 (about sh 1.1m) and her passport. She is being held at the PDEA-National Capital Region detention facility.

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. The clear chunky crystals resembling ice, can be can be inhaled by smoking.

Effects:

Physical

Physical effects can include anorexia, restlessness, dry mouth, headache, hypertension, hypotension, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness, twitching, insomnia,

Psychological

Psychological effects can include euphoria, anxiety, increased libido, alertness, concentration, increased energy, increased self-esteem, self-confidence, sociability, irritability, aggressiveness, psychosomatic disorders,delusions of grandiosity, hallucinations, excessive feelings of power and invincibility, repetitive and obsessive behaviors, paranoia, and with chronic use and/or high doses.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamine primarily consist of fatigue, depression and an increased appetite. Symptoms may last for days with occasional use and weeks or months with chronic use, with severity dependent on the length of time and the amount of methamphetamine used.

Long-term

Methamphetamine use has a high association with depression and suicide as well as serious heart disease, amphetamine psychosis, anxiety and violent behavior.