Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Jenny F. Manongdo
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUGS NOW P300-B 'INDUSTRY' IN RP

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday disclosed that
they have identified five existing transnational drug syndicates in
the country contributing to the growth of the illegal drug business
here which has become a P300 billion industry in the
Philippines.

In a ceremony marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) held at the Manila Hotel yesterday, PDEA
Undersecretary Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. said that apart from these
transnational syndicates, 130 local drug groups are also now being
monitored by authorities.

He said that these local drug groups are merely distributors and are
supervised by foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals who manufacture
illegal drugs.

"Transnational syndicates have local contacts but these contacts
cannot make shabu on their own otherwise it would be of poor quality,"
Avenido stated.

He cited a big shabu laboratory in Mandaue, Cebu that was recently
raided and was found to have foreign workers from China, HongKong,
Malaysia, Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau. The shabu laboratory is
being operated by Chinese-Filipino druglord Calvin Tan.

"The reason for this is because there is no adequate technology
transfer yet. The chemist or 'cooks' who have the expertise in cooking
shabu are mostly foreigners," he said.

Tan is now detained in Hong Kong under drug charges and the
Philippines has already requested for his extradition.

PDEA authorities said that a mafia type of drug operation is actively
operating in the South East Asian region. A regional meeting with
counterparts discuss the presence of these drug syndicates, their
operations and the assignment of various local agencies towards the
apprehension of members of drug syndicates.

In his speech, Dangerous Drugs Board chairperson Angelo T. Reyes said
that there are currently 3.4 million Filipinos who are hooked on drugs.

Meanwhile, a total of P40 billion worth of illegal drugs, chemicals
and equipment have been confiscated by the government since 2002.

Similarly, a total of 11 clandestine shabu laboratories in 2003 in
Metro Manila and in the neighboring provinces in Southern and Central
Luzon have been dismantled by the government, including 2000 kilos of
shabu precursors and essential chemicals and P20 billion worth of
laboratory equipment.

A survey by DDB identified 1.3 million regular users of illicit drugs
while 1.6 million are occasional drug users.

Three major illegal drugs dominate the drug scene. These include
methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, marijuana and methylenedioxy
methamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy. Ketamine, an anesthetic drug
commonly used by veterinarians is slowly gaining popularity.

Congressman Roque R. Ablan, chair of Committee on Dangerous Drugs
stressed that there is a need to set up a special court to speed up
prosecution of drug cases and that the government should be strong in
prosecuting members of drug syndicates.

He recalled a Chinese drug lord during the time of the late president
Ferdinand Marcos who was executed by firing squad. He said the death
of the drug lord lessened the number of drug cases in the country at
that time. "You have to show to the people that you mean business,"
Ablan said.

A local drug user usually spends five grams of shabu per month.
Avenido said that said a gram of genuine shabu usually costs P2,000.
But he said fake shabu is now peddled in the streets.

"A sachet with three grains is called 'piso-piso' and per grain
usually costs P100. to P200. But you are not sure if any of the grains
are genuine. Some are made of 'tawas' and others are made up of
various chemicals. A genuine shabu can wreak havoc on the mind of a
user so you can just imagine what kind of danger users of fake shabu
face." 
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