The Philippine Embassy on Tuesday issued a warning to all Filipinos in the Kingdom against receiving packages or parcels from unknown senders because such packages may contain illegal drugs.

The embassy issued the warning in the wake of an increasing number of Filipinos being arrested after receiving packages suspected of containing drugs.

They were arrested upon presenting their residency permits to collect suspicious packages from courier companies.

Possession and use of illegal drugs in the Kingdom is a serious criminal offense under Saudi law. Smuggling illegal drugs into the Kingdom is a crime punishable by death.

The embassy also advised Filipinos in the Kingdom not to provide their personal information to other persons, specifically the Saudi residence permit or iqama and mobile numbers.

They are also warned against accommodating requests from any individual who claims that his or her iqama is still being processed and is in need of another iqama number to receive a package coming from the Philippines.

The embassy added that a common practice is to use social media sites such as Facebook to befriend residents and eventually request that the latter receive a package on behalf of another individual in the Kingdom.

The embassy added that it is coordinating with the police and customs authorities in the Philippines to prevent such illegal activity.