A Canadian grandmother is facing life in a hell-hole Filipino prison for allegedly trying to smuggle more than 7kg of methamphetamine wrapped in truffles into the country.
Pensioner Wendy Jane Marais, 64, flew long-haul from Mexico to Narita, Japan, where she boarded a connecting flight before arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Aiport in Manila on June 30.
The 64-year-old had appeared harmless and had to ask for a wheelchair to help her through the check-in area.
She posted online a few days before the arrest 'Good night, it's been an amazing day' and gushed over pictures of her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.
However, officials searched her checked-in luggage and pulled out several packets of Elvan Truffle Assortment chocolates, that looked like souvenirs from abroad.
When police opened the bags, they found that the sweets had allegedly been painstakingly swapped with narcotics rolled into balls labelled 'BBB'.
Wendy was immediately detained in an airport holding cell and now faces life behind bars in a "hell hole" jail.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said: 'We received information from international intelligence sources that Marais was involved in smuggling illegal drugs from Mexico to Manila.'
As a result, the BI's Anti-Terrorist Group immediately verified her arrival and successfully identified her to allow the BOC to conduct the search.
'Bureau of Customs officer helped search her bags and allegedly found a total of 7.15kg of methamphetamine hydrochloride concealed inside bags of individually-wrapped chocolate candies, which has a street value of £693,112.
Wendy was arrested by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officers and will be detained during the investigation.
She will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. Officials said that if she is found guilty - or fails to spill information on who she was working with to strike a plea deal.
Wendy faces life imprisonment and a fine of up to 10 million.
