US drug agency watching RP probe on shabu haul
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency is closely monitoring the investigation by the Philippine government of the smuggling of P4 billion worth of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales, Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr. told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday.
Villar said the interest of the USDEA in the case became apparent when Kent Marchant, chief of the agency’s unit in the US Embassy in Manila, called him on Saturday.
“Mr. Marchant congratulated the Philippine government for being able to seize a big volume of shabu. He said the USDEA was keenly watching the developments,” the PASG head said.
In the phone conversation, Villar said Marchant did not imply or suggest ways of cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to be able to identify the syndicates behind the production, transport and trade of the 744.66 kilograms of shabu discovered on May 27 and 28, and June 7.
“The USDEA is particular about busting illegal drugs syndicates and how the illegal drugs trade affects peace and stability,” Villar said of how he understood the thrust of that agency.
In a related development, Villar said he has advised the PDEA to wait for a court order before the agency could take custody of the contraband, transport it to Manila, and burn it.
“I asked General Santiago [PDEA chief] to retest and reweigh the shabu because I don’t want that these be switched with tawas [alum] or any of it stolen or sold in the market. Mahirap na [It’s better to be safe]. Kawawa ang mga kabataan [Pity the youth],” Villar said.
The PDEA has had incidents where shabu kept in its custody as evidence in court had been pilfered and traded by its own agents, he said.
Villar also wants the cargo to be “properly escorted” by civic organizations, government agencies and media organizations.
He continued to rue the fact that the suspect, Anthony “Anton” Ang had been able to flee due, he said, to the “lapses” of some personnel at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“It is very clear that Ang, as a locator at the freeport, is allowed to transship only cigarettes and liquor. When he claimed that the boxes found in his car contain computer parts, he should have been immediately held and not allowed to go. The boxes should have been opened at once. They were lax because they knew him as a locator,” he said. By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk
Villar said the interest of the USDEA in the case became apparent when Kent Marchant, chief of the agency’s unit in the US Embassy in Manila, called him on Saturday.
“Mr. Marchant congratulated the Philippine government for being able to seize a big volume of shabu. He said the USDEA was keenly watching the developments,” the PASG head said.
In the phone conversation, Villar said Marchant did not imply or suggest ways of cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to be able to identify the syndicates behind the production, transport and trade of the 744.66 kilograms of shabu discovered on May 27 and 28, and June 7.
“The USDEA is particular about busting illegal drugs syndicates and how the illegal drugs trade affects peace and stability,” Villar said of how he understood the thrust of that agency.
In a related development, Villar said he has advised the PDEA to wait for a court order before the agency could take custody of the contraband, transport it to Manila, and burn it.
“I asked General Santiago [PDEA chief] to retest and reweigh the shabu because I don’t want that these be switched with tawas [alum] or any of it stolen or sold in the market. Mahirap na [It’s better to be safe]. Kawawa ang mga kabataan [Pity the youth],” Villar said.
The PDEA has had incidents where shabu kept in its custody as evidence in court had been pilfered and traded by its own agents, he said.
Villar also wants the cargo to be “properly escorted” by civic organizations, government agencies and media organizations.
He continued to rue the fact that the suspect, Anthony “Anton” Ang had been able to flee due, he said, to the “lapses” of some personnel at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).
“It is very clear that Ang, as a locator at the freeport, is allowed to transship only cigarettes and liquor. When he claimed that the boxes found in his car contain computer parts, he should have been immediately held and not allowed to go. The boxes should have been opened at once. They were lax because they knew him as a locator,” he said. By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
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