A Shandong student was arrested at Shenzhen Railway Station as he boarded a train to return home after a package of drugs was found in his luggage, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.

The student, 19, only identified by his last name Wang, is likely to be charged with trafficking drugs and illegal substances, the newspaper said, citing police.

Wang worked for a karaoke bar in Heze City, Shandong during the summer holiday and is thought to have needed to earn money to relieve his family's financial strains, the newspaper quoted Wang as saying.

"My parents are farmers and don't earn much income," said Wang, who lives with his parents in the rural area of Heze.

Wang said he found a job at a karaoke bar in downtown Heze as a doorman for 500 yuan (US$66) a month in August.

Two weeks ago, the owner of the karaoke bar asked Wang to travel to Shenzhen to bring back "something" which was out of stock at the bar. His boss, whose identity has not been disclosed, said he would give Wang 1,000 yuan to pay for the trip and an extra 2,000 yuan on his return.

"I accepted the assignment without hesitation, as I could make money visiting Shenzhen which I have always wanted to see," Wang said. But the newspaper did not say if Wang was aware that the "something" was actually drugs.

Wang arrived in Shenzhen two days later and met his boss' contact who took Wang to a hotel room after dinner. He gave Wang a well-packed bag, which his boss had purchased in Shenzhen.

The contact bought his return train ticket, telling him to take good care of the packed bag.

Some 52.6 grams of Ice and 28 pieces of a yet-to-be identified substance were found in the bag.

(Shenzhen Daily August 29, 2007)