Officials flag 6 foreign drug gangs in PH
Authorities have identified at least six foreign drug networks operating in the country, a lawmaker said on Sunday, ahead of an investigation to be conducted by a House committee into the foiled attempt to smuggle P3.5 billion worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) from Laos on a private jet.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos, who chairs the dangerous drugs committee, said that according to a senior law enforcement source, Asia-Pacific cartels Sam Gor, United Bamboo Gang, 14K Triad, Dragon Wu International Drug Syndicate, West African Drug Syndicate and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel were the key foreign actors operating in the illegal drug market in the Philippines.
“The possibility that transnational drug networks have links to the illegal drug trade in our country should not be underestimated,” Santos said in a statement.
“[It] is therefore essential to investigate not only those directly involved in the shipment of illegal drugs, but also the … groups providing logistical and operational support,” he added.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isagani Nerez earlier said they were looking into the possible involvement of syndicates, such as Sam Gor, in the failed attempt to fly into the country 521 kilograms of crystal meth.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had also linked 11 people, including a former Bangsamoro official, to the drug shipment seized by authorities in Laos.
Big-time players
The volume of illicit drugs entering the Philippines to meet local demand “is no longer ordinary,” Santos told the Inquirer, as he called for an intensified crackdown on foreign syndicates fueling domestic supply.
“There is no one else to target here except the big players,” Santos said. “Planes are now being used for this, and there have been attempts involving ships as well.”
The lawmaker raised the possibility of some local groups acting as a “cell” for international drug syndicates.
Santos said that PDEA tied the Taiwan-based United Bamboo Gang and Hong Kong-based 14K Triad to international drug trafficking in 2017.
In 2018, PDEA identified the Dragon Wu International Drug Syndicate as the operator of secret drug laboratories in Batangas province and Malabon City.
Sam Gor, on the other hand, controls 40 to 70 percent of the Asia-Pacific drug trade and generates $17 billion annually through an alliance with major syndicates including the 14K Triad, United Bamboo Gang, Big Circle Gang, Sun Yee On and Wo Shing Wo, according to Santos.
The West African Drug Syndicate, meanwhile, was tagged last year by the National Bureau of Investigation for recruiting Filipinos as drug mules.
