NBI now hunting for Mexican drug cartel dealers

(Updated 12:55 a.m., Jan.18, 2013) After collaring Canadian nationals on drug charges, the National Bureau of Investigation is now tracking down Mexicans who allegedly act as drug dealers for a Mexican cartel recently discovered in the Philippines.

 

NBI Deputy Director for Special Investigative Services Ruel Lasala said the parcels used to bring drug shipments and paraphernalia into the Philippines may offer clues to the identities and whereabouts of these Mexicans.

 

"Hinahanap na namin ngayon ang mga Mexican dealers na narito sa Pilipinas na silang nagsu-supply doon sa mga Canadians," Lasala told GMA News Online in an interview.

 

"Dinadala kasi iyan dito from Mexico through parcels. At kaya naman natin ma-trace kung sino, kanino at saan pinapadala ang mga parcels," he added.

 

Through severable tipsters, the NBI over the last month was able to confirm the presence of the drug syndicate in the Philippines.

Based on this information, the NBI secured search warrants that eventually led to simultaneous drug raids in Makati and Taguig City.

 

Among the arrested Canadians were James Claytom Riach, Ali Memar Mortavazi Shirazi, Barry Espadilla and Tristan Olazo.

 

Riach and Shirazi were arrested in a penthouse in Makati City, while Espadilla and Olazo were nabbed inside a condominium unit in Taguig City that was used as a "kitchen-type" drug laboratory to process shabu, cocaine, and ecstacy for distribution in night clubs and bars.

 

Seized from the clandestine laboratory in the Taguig condo unit were finished narcotic products identified as cocaine, shabu and ecstasy, as well as drug paraphernalia like heaters, sealers, weighing scales, flasks, and other laboratory equipment.

 

In a report last Thursday, GMA News' John Consulta described the shabu laboratory as "high-tech," allowing the suspects to conceal fumes from their operations.

 

The suspects were able to bring the illegal drugs in and out of the condominium building using sealed kitchenware.

 

Aside from the drug paraphernalia, the NBI also seized machines used to replicate ATM and credit cards.

 

The NBI also confiscated the suspects' cellphones, which were inspected for more leads on illegal drug manufacturers operating in Metro Manila.

 

"Between three and seven months nang narito sa Pilipinas ang mga members ng syndicate but we were only able to uncover them last month," Lasala told GMA News Online.

 

The Canadians have already been slapped with charges of possession of illegal drugs, in violation of Section 11, Article 2 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

 

Why Canadians?

 

Lasala said that, so far, only Canadian and Mexican nationals seem to be involved in the big-time illegal drug trade.

 

"Mexico and Canada, as we know, are countries close to each other [geographically]. Kaya sila sila rin lang ang mga involved dito," he said.

The two countries do not share a border and are separated from each other by the United States of America.

 

He said that of the Canadian nationals nabbed in the raids, only two of them are convicted criminals in Canada.

 

"As to how they were able to enter the country, it's already the Bureau of Immigration's job to find out, and not the NBI," Lasala said.

DOJ checking travel records