Over P11.5 billion worth of shabu seized in Laos, Thailand bound for PH — PDEA

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed on Monday that more than 1.6 tons of shabu amounting to P11.5 billion seized by authorities in Laos and Thailand were supposed to be brought to the Philippines.

PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said Lao authorities seized 521 kilograms of shabu at an airport in Laos on October 1. 

The illegal drugs were reportedly set to be loaded onto a private jet bound for the Philippines.

Nerez also confirmed that a Filipino identified by the alias Fajad was arrested during the operation, along with Malaysian and Singaporean nationals.

“He has to pay ‘yong batas ng Laos. If Laos poses death penalty then that’s it. Katulad rin sa atin, pag nahuli natin ‘yong mga foreigners dito we have to [submit] to our laws. They have yo undergo trial and after that the penalty,” said Nerez. 

Based on intelligence reports obtained by the PDEA, a Filipino identified as alias Boyet allegedly paid for the private jet that was supposed to transport the drugs from Laos to the Philippines.

“Si Boyet ay taga-rito sa Luzon at si Fajad meron ding address sa Luzon parehas po. That links them to establish ‘yong link nila na magkakilala. ‘Yong pangyayari ngayon, mas marami ng ebidensya ang ating investigator laban sa kanila,” said Nerez. 

The PDEA has been monitoring Boyet, who is reportedly linked to a drug syndicate operating in Mindanao.

According to the PDEA, alias Boyet left the country on October 11 and is now believed to be in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, Thai authorities also intercepted a vessel carrying more than one ton of shabu in waters under Thailand’s jurisdiction.

According to the PDEA, the illegal drugs seized in Thailand were also bound for the Philippines.

“Itong barko na ito, nasita na ng Philippine Navy at PDEA last August at ‘yong mga nahuling crew sa barko na ito, ‘yon din ang nasita dito sa Pilipinas… Pag pasok dito sa territorial jurisdiction ng Pilipinas, naka-alarm na yan. Hindi makakalusot ang vessel na yan.”

The agency said the shipments originated from the Sam Gor syndicate, a transnational criminal group involved in the illegal drug trade that operates in the Golden Triangle region, which includes Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

Meanwhile, Nerez said PDEA has recorded an 85% conviction rate in cases involving illegal drugs from 2022 to 2026. 

Nerez said the agency also seized 16 tons of illegal drugs during the period, with an estimated value of more than P124 billion.

The volume and value of the seized drugs were higher than the 12 tons worth P91 billion confiscated during the previous administration, Nerez said.

“I would like to emphasize, ang strategy ng current administration, the supply reduction, demand reduction and social intervention is among the best strategy ng anti-drug operation within our Asian region.”