2019-10-31  English translation of letter from Brazil man in prison in HK for drug trafficking

(original Portuguese letter here)

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AGE: 49

I come from Sao Paulo, Brazil and I am the father of 3 children.

There is much unemployment in my country ; I myself have been unemployed for some time and ended up getting involved with an African man, a drug dealer who is married to a friend of mine in Brazil . She introduced him to me and he asked me if I would carry drugs for him into another country. I accepted. I am not unaware of what a crime is and what are its consequences, however I had never been involved in crime before I met this man. They offered me BRL 15.000 (aprox HKD 7,500). One week before I was due to travel, two African men who I don't know took me to Praca da Republica, in the centre of Sao Paulo to buy clothes for me to travel. My passport was in their possession and they had also bought my air fare.

Two days before my flight they took me to a house in Tiradentes, an area on the East side of the city. I was confined to this house waiting for them to bring me the clothes and the the suitcase containing the drugs.

Three hours before my flight at Guarulhos airport in SP, someone called "Loiro" (blond) ou "alemao" , who was known to them (but unknown to me), called for a taxi and took me to the airport. I flew from Sao Paulo to Ethiopia and from Ethiopia to Hong Kong.

When I arrived in Hong Kong International Airport I was stopped by Customs & Excise officers. They checked my luggage and I was arrested.

Through this testimonial letter I want to let people know of what happened to me and alert everyone not to get involved with drug trafficking, not to accept anyone's invitation or any offer to carry drugs to Hong Kong and any other country. The law in Hong Kong punishes drug trafficking severely. It is not worthy to risk your liberty for any amount of money. It is very painful and sad to be separated from people we love , nothing could be worse that being locked away and missing your loved ones .

Therefore, I am writing this alert to everyone everywhere : DO NOT BRING DRUGS INTO HONG KONG.

May God bless you.

Signed : 31-10-2019