Pubdate: Tue, 11 Oct 2005
Source: People's Tonight (Philippines)
Copyright: Journal Group 2005
Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp
Website: http://www.journal.com.ph
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3454
Author: Alex T. Silva
Cited: US Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.dea.gov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

RP TO EXPORT ECSTASY

THE Philippines could become a major exporter of the prohibited
Ecstasy drug to the United States and Canada where market demand is
very high.

With the huge stockpile amassed from smuggled Ecstasy ingredient
(ketamine), the Philippines could be a major source of Ecstasy to
North American countries like the U.S. and Canada as well as Taiwan,
Fiji, Palau, Marianas Island, Australia and New Zealand.

Ketamine has allegedly been smuggled in recent months by a Hong
Kong-based international drug syndicate using  the different bonded
warehouses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex in
Paranaque City.

This was learned by People's Tonight from a local agent of the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration, which is spearheading the
international anti-drug trafficking campaign known as "Operation: Candy Box."

The drug syndicate is believed to be linked to an alleged Hong
Kong-based drug dealer, Zei Wai Wong, who was arrested last March 31
in Canada. He is allegedly one of the major drug ring dealers
distributing Ecstasy in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, using tiny
islands in the South Pacific as transshipment points.

The syndicate is reportedly eyeing the Philippines as a major base
after its laboratories were busted in the South Pacific, in the United
States and even China.

It is believed to be behind the series of illegal importations of
several tons of the pharmaceutical substance ketamine.

"Daan-daang tonelada na ang naipasok dito ng sindikato, kaya mas
malamang na ang Pilipinas na ang magigiging 'major source' ng Ecstasy
sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo," the source said.

The Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Administration is now
tracking down the syndicate's operations in the country.

"This is a very serious issue as the drug money could be used to buy
witnesses and law enforcers to avoid prosecution," the source added.

"Ang sindikato ay kayang-kayang pondohan ang kampanya ng isang tao na
gustong maging pangulo, senador, congressman, gobernador o maging
alkalde dahil sa daang bilyong pisong kikitain nila mula sa pagtutulak
ng droga," he said. 
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