NBI: P3.5 billion shabu from Laos points to Philippines network

MANILA, Philippines — The foiled smuggling of 521 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P3.5 billion from Laos demonstrated how huge the Philippines’ drug market is and the sophisticated system that attempted ttransport such volume by air, an official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

Ross Jonathan Galicia, who heads the NBI’s Dangerous Drugs Division, told House lawmakers their investigation indicated a local distribution network was behind it, with enormous resources, huge funds and networks that cross boundaries.

“There is a local crime group that is operating within the country. It would take a number of people to move these illegal drugs. There’s a big market in the Philippines,” he said during a probe conducted by the House committee on dangerous drugs.

Galicia likewise said investigators must look beyond the drugs intercepted at Luang Prabang International Airport on Oct. 1 and examine the network that would have received and distributed them.

“Destination is the Philippines. We have established that,” he said, adding that those behind the operation had the funds to charter an aircraft and move the shipment quickly.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director-general Isagani Nerez told the committee that they, along with the Philippine National Police, were building a case against individuals allegedly involved in financing, arranging and receiving the shipment.

The PDEA chief said investigators were gathering transaction documents covering the aircraft charter and seeking official investigation records from foreign counterparts.

The Bureau of Customs, however, said its own records had not yet established a Philippine recipient or importer.

Deputy Commissioner for intelligence Emmanuel Luis Licup reported that Customs found no notice of arrival for the aircraft and was still awaiting aviation, customs and investigation documents requested from Lao authorities.

“No verified Philippine consignee identified,” Licup said, presenting the bureau’s assessment. “The alleged Philippine destination remains under validation pending receipt of documentary evidence from foreign counterparts.”

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines also reported that an entry and exit permit had been requested for the aircraft, but the flight was never activated and the aircraft did not enter Philippine airspace.

Intensified search

Police have intensified their search for former Bangsamoro parliament member Edrieza Hadji Nasser Rimbang and four other people who snubbed subpoenas for them to shed light into the P3.5-billion shabu shipment from Laos.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police to find Rimbang, who was tagged as the financier of the foiled drug smuggling operation.

Rimbang, Abdulah Karim Macalatas, Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang and Aldren Samante did not show up for the probe being conducted by the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

For Nartatez, Rimbang and the other persons’ participation are necessary to establish the complete circumstances surrounding the drug shipment that was intercepted by Laotian authorities on Oct. 1.

The CIDG is wrapping up its probe and will submit a report of its investigation to Nartatez as early as today.

“The evidence gathered reflects a thorough, evidence-based approach aimed at establishing the truth and ensuring accountability,” he said.

The CIDG has issued over 40 subpoenas to persons and companies, reviewed CCTV footage and examined documents linked to the attempt to transport large quantities of illegal drugs using chartered aircraft. –  Emmanuel Tupas