Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Dennis Gasgonia DDB ASKS CONGRESS FOR BETTER LAWS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS The Dangerous Drugs Board on Sunday asked Congress to come up with new laws to combat the illegal drug scourge. "Warehouse owners should be required to disclose the identities of the persons who lease their facilities," said Executive Director Jose Calida of the Dangerous Drugs Board. Calida said this would prevent drug traffickers from using the warehouses for illegal purposes. "Landlords should require their lessees to present valid identification documents as well as business permits, licenses and similar business documents before a contract of lease is executed," he said. Calida made the proposal after several law-enforcement agencies found that many drug syndicates were using warehouses in Metro Manila as fronts to hide their illegal activities. He said warehouse owners could be tapped to help police check their warehouses, because they can do so anytime while police must have a search warrant to do so. "Any suspicious transactions happening inside the building must come to the knowledge of the owner who can also supply authorities the information to gather their own evidence," Calida added. He also called for the amendment of the Anti-Wiretapping Act. He said drug trafficking should be taken as one of the grounds for electronic eavesdropping. "Wiretapping may be the only way to reach them, since these drug lords don't go directly to their laboratories," Calida said. When asked if such amendment would sail smoothly in Congress, he said lawmakers should put into consideration their proposal to provide law enforcers the "proper tools" against illegal drugs. "Sedition and rebellion are legal grounds for wiretapping. I don't see why illegal drugs should not be included among those grounds," Calida said. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh