LILONGWE, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Malawi government warned all Malawians living in the country and abroad not to be used to carry or deliver luggage or parcels to unknown contacts abroad, so as to avoid becoming unwitting drug mules.

A statement by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation dated July 19 expressed concern that an increasing number of Malawian nationals, mostly young women, are being arrested and detained abroad in connection to drug trafficking offences.

According to the statement, the Malawian women are either duped or coerced by foreigners (mostly males) to engage in the illicit drug trade with promises of monetary rewards, better life and sometimes even marriage.

It added that sometimes unsuspecting women are asked by dealers posing as businessmen trading cosmetics and other items to carry luggage (sealed or otherwise) concealing drugs when passing through airport security check points, ending up being arrested.

"Two young Malawian ladies were recently arrested at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for trafficking dangerous drugs and they are currently in detention awaiting trial," reads the statement.

In early April, a 38-year-old woman addicted to drugs died in a hotel in the country's commercial city of Blantyre, and in late April a 26-year-old Malawian man died in Brazil allegedly after a drug-stuffed condom he had swallowed to traffic burst before delivery point.