Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Joyce Pangco Panares
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

CIA KEEPS RP IN DRUG WATCHLIST

Do jueteng and be infamous locally, but deal drugs and get notorious
globally.

The United States Central Intelligence Agency has kept the Philippines
in its list of major marijuana exporters, recognizing the country's
role as "transit point" for heroin and shabu.

In its latest World Factbook released by the CIA, the US spy agency
said the Philippine government has tarried in curbing drug production
and trafficking.

"The Philippine exports locally produced marijuana and hashish to East
Asia, the US and other Western markets (and) serves as a transit point
for heroin and crystal methamphetamine (shabu). Domestic
methamphetamine production is a growing problem," it noted.

Heroin is produced when morphine derived from opium poppy plants is
acetylated and combined with sodium carbonate.

Countries allegedly growing poppy include Burma, Laos, Vietnam,
Thailand, Afghanistan, India, Turkey and Tasmania.
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