In the crusade against the pernicious network of drug trafficking, few voices resonate as profoundly as that of Father John Wotherspoon. Renowned for their tireless advocacy against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals coerced into becoming drug mules, particularly in the corridors leading to destinations like the bustling port city of Hong Kong, Father John emerges as a steadfast champion of justice and compassion. In this exclusive dialogue with [Capital newspaper], Father John offers insights into the pivotal moments of their journey, shedding light on the harrowing realities faced by those ensnared in the web of drug trafficking and the steadfast efforts undertaken to combat this pervasive menace.

As a prison chaplain entrenched in the dynamic milieu of Hong Kong for over four decades, Father John’s narrative unfolds against a backdrop of unwavering commitment to the underprivileged and the incarcerated. Over the past fifteen years, their mission has been anchored in extending a lifeline to those charged with the transportation of drugs into Hong Kong – individuals thrust into the perilous role of drug mules, often lured by promises of prosperity and emancipation from destitution.

The stark reality emerges: a vast majority of these individuals, pawns in a nefarious game orchestrated by Nigerian drug syndicates, traverse the treacherous path to Hong Kong with scant awareness of the perils that await them. Upon apprehension, they find themselves abandoned, with scant support from their home nations, left to navigate the complexities of the legal system alone. In response, Father John extends a compassionate hand, offering both emotional succor and practical assistance to alleviate their plight.

Yet, Father John’s advocacy transcends geographical confines, encompassing a global odyssey to raise awareness among prospective victims and implore them to arm themselves with vital knowledge before succumbing to the allure of drug trafficking. Against the backdrop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s bustling capital and a favored transit point for drug mules, Father John recounts poignant tales of tragedy and resilience, underscoring the urgency of collaborative action to stem the tide of narcotics flowing through international airports.

This dialogue serves as a testament to Father John’s unwavering dedication, offering a glimpse into the challenges, triumphs, and ongoing efforts to effect meaningful change in the landscape of drug trafficking. Through their organization, Voice for Prisoners, Father John seeks to catalyze transformative initiatives, partnering with governmental entities and civil society to fortify security protocols and combat the insidious forces perpetuating this cycle of exploitation. Join us as we delve into the heart of Father John’s mission, a beacon of hope in the fight against drug trafficking’s pervasive grip on vulnerable lives.

Father John WOTHERSPOON has spent much of his Oblate and priestly life as a missionary in Hong Kong, China. Originally from the Province of Australia, of which China is an Oblate Delegation, he went to Hong Kong as a teacher in a school run by the Oblates in 1985. Currently, he ministers as a prison chaplain.

Capital: You have become a noted activist against drug mules who are for the most part tricked into carrying them to countries such as Hong Kong. Share with me the highlights of your work?

Father John Wotherspoon: Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you and Capital newspaper. I am a prison Champlain based in Hong Kong. I am Australian by birth but I have lived in Hong Kong for the last four decades. For the last 15 years, I have mostly been working with the underprivileged and those imprisoned charged with the transportation of drugs into Hong Kong. These are people widely known as drug mules.

As you may know, a vast majority of them are vulnerable people sent to Hong Kong by Nigerian drug lords with a promise to make easy money and escape from poverty. They have little exposure to the risk associated with being a drug mule unfortunately. Once caught, many of these people are on their own with little support from their home nations.  In a nutshell, I help these people with emotional and financial support.

Nowadays, I travel around the world, to warn future victims to get vital information before they make such a life changing drastic decision. At minimum, such a person faces ten years of imprisonment when caught and most do get caught. Being in prisoned for such a long time, especially if you have a child to support at home is painful. Imagine a child growing up without a mother. Again, it’s a heartbreaking and often desperate situation for many.

Capital: What brings you to Ethiopia this time?

Father John: I have made many trips to Ethiopia previously. I always come to help highlight the plight of drug mules. Often many of them use Bole International airport and Ethiopian airlines. Addis Ababa is often the preferred destination for drug mules with lux security and big convenience. Oftentimes, these vulnerable drug mules are asked to swallow the drugs and are required to not eat and drink much. By the time they arrive in Hong Kong, they are easy to spot.

On my last trip, I was here to support a Canadian widow who got involved in a virtual love affair that ended up costing her a lot. She was invited to come to Addis Ababa by a man who pretended to be something he was not. He sent her many photos to lure her; however when she arrived, he was never to be seen. Instead he asked her to come to Hong Kong to meet with him and asked her to carry luggage for him.

She was caught in Hong Kong and the luggage indeed had drugs in them. In all of these, he also pressured her to send him money and she lost to the tune of more than 100,000 USD. She faced the prospect of spending many years in prison.

I worked with a popular Canadian TV – CTV – and a local producer here in Addis that traced back her trip and told her story to a powerful Canadian audience. With good legal representation and a TV station willing to take up her cause and tell it, she was able to be freed. She is a lucky woman. Not all prisoners with similar stories are freed after serving a year or so of imprisonment.

Capital: What were some of the highlights of this trip this time?

Father John: I held a press conference that gave me a chance to speak to the Ethiopian media. We had an interesting conversation and I was able to put faces to such victims. I was also able to speak to authorities, including those of the United Nations, the European Union, the Nigerian embassy. We got to explore ways and ideas on how to stop drugs from passing through Bole airport frequently and easily.

I saw the beauty and some of the challenges of your capital city and held conversation with everyday people, inside the cafes, at my hotel and on the street. I can see why many people might find the reason to head to such foreign nations for easy money. But they should know the risk.  

Capital: What are some of the ideas you are proposing?

Father John: There has to be a public education on it. Many things can be done: sniffer dogs can be used, equipment can be improved, transit passengers can be checked, corruption can be stopped, and more than one person can be assigned to monitor x-ray machines as an attempt to reduce any corruption.  One radical solution would be for the government to give airport security to a private company which would employ skilled workers from overseas to help train and supervise local staff as a way to complement their work.

We absolutely must ensure Bole international airport has the latest technologies and professional training to properly do their work. Also offer them the financial support that is needed and find the resources to help them do good work. One good question we should ask is about corruption, where airport officials might be compromised and be prey to someone paying them. We should not wait for more victims to be produced for any of us to act.

Capital: Tell me about your organization Voice for Prisoners?

Father John: Voice for Prisoners is a registered NGO based in Hong Kong. We basically try to stop drugs from heading to Hong Kong from places like Addis Ababa. We are a small organization with skeleton staff and volunteers but our ideas are big. I have been at it for a while now, but there is more to do.  I will continue to do this job – travelling and speaking out – as long as the Good Lord gives me health and the means to do it.

Capital: What do you think the government should do more to stop drug mules?

Father John: To be clear, we want to partner with the government and compliment their work. We are just offering vital and practical information to them and hoping they will tighten security at their airport. A good example where change has come is in Kenya and Tanzania where drugs coming from those nations have decreased in the last few years.

According to the ten people I know who were arrested in Hong Kong in 2023; nine of them said the drugs they carried were arranged by Nigerians in Addis. My hope is that these bad Nigerians can be stopped. I also would like to say these bad Nigerians are a minority and give the majority of good people from Nigeria a bad name.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for a vast majority of Nigerians. I am just talking about the very few who are involved in drugs. As a Champlain, I have helped many Nigerians over the years, even paying for the education of the children of those imprisoned in Hong Kong. But the bad ones really bring havoc to many people from around the world.

Capital: Any last words?

Father John: I estimate that Addis, Johannesburg and Sao Paulo are the three airports in the world most used by drug mules. The authorities in Ethiopia and South Africa and Brazil and Hong Kong need to work more closely together. I hope there will be a priority to stop drug mules from heading to Hong Kong and stop the criminals from exploiting more people.