PDEA boosting capacity to go after drug money trail

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Saturday it continues to strengthen its financial investigation capability to go after the trail of drug money to prevent drug lords from using their money and influence to evade punishment.

The PDEA said 35 personnel from the drug enforcement group and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) underwent a workshop held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from November 20 to 24, 2017.

"The purpose of this activity is truly very crucial to the success of our operations against the multi-billion pesos illegal drugs industry," PDEA Director General Aaaron Aquino said.

Aquino said PDEA needs to improve its intelligence operations, investigation procedures and collaboration with all types of financial institutions and AMLC.

"The efforts and resources used by PDEA in tracking down and arresting illegal drug dealers and manufacturers will just definitely go to waste if we cannot freeze the assets of these criminals while they are being prosecuted," he stressed.

"We cannot just go on arresting and filing the cases while the drug lords are freely using drug money to buy their way out of prison," he added.

The PDEA chief said the agency's Financial Investigation Unit must undergo intense training to understand the government's financial systems and take a closer look into the circles of compliance officers, legal counsels, bankers, regulators, prosecutors, accountants, other law enforcement officers, and information technology professionals.

"In this manner, we will have a fighting chance to follow the drug money, assess and identify the trail, secure documents and evidence and make a strong case to freeze drug money before it gets to the mainstream economy," Aquino said. —ALG, GMA News