Balikbayans Please Beware of "Pakipadala" Packages

This is a cautionary tale to all of the balikbayans out there. Please read so you'll avoid being a victim to this modus operandi. This happened  in our barangay and it was reported in one of the national tabloids but due to the ongoing court case ensuing from this incident and the fact that I personally know some of the parties involved, I'll just use initials for these individuals.

Islander Sandals - Paboritong panlakad ng drug mules?

OFW AC was bound for Saudi Arabia and when BJC learned of AC's flight he asked AC kung pwede yung kaibigan niya na may ipapadala sa common friend nila sa Saudi. BJC told AC that the person will meet AC in Saudi to personally pick up the package from him. Since BJC is practically a neighbor and a distant relative, AC readily agreed. So the next  day BJC's friend came over with a girlfriend and they handed the package to AC. AC described the couple as "looking classy and well off" so he took the package without qualms. Later on, however, AC started to feel doubts because he learned that BJC was also bound for Saudi in about two weeks' time. AC wondered why BJC could not take the package himself to his friend in Saudi. What was so important about the package that cannot wait for several days? So a couple of hours before his departure, AC decided to open the package. Inside were two pairs of Islander sandals. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that there was a slight alteration on their bottom portions and when he unglued them he found packets of shabu in both of the sandals. According to AC's relatives, there was about half a kilo of shabu found.  Luckily for AC, he decided to open the package before going to the airport otherwise he would have been arrested and jailed if the package was discovered by authorities.