Canadian drug ring trying to rival Chinese, African groups – NBI informant

A balikbayan from Canada and other members of a drug syndicate from there want to break into the drug trade in the Philippines, an informant for the National Bureau of Investigation said Thursday.

 

The informant, "Toni", said in a report on “24 Oras” aired Thursday evening that a Canadian drug syndicate plans to expand its reach in the Philippines.

 

“Pilipino yung Barry. Tapos nagba-bakasyon sila rito. Marami silang dalang droga noon, so nakita nila yung opportunity para mapasok yung market,” Toni said.

 

According to NBI intelligence reports collected from counterparts in the US, Barry is a Filipino-Canadian and is allegedly the gatekeeper for drugs from Canada. 

 

An NBI surveillance video shown in the report showed a group of foreigners waiting at the arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

 

According to the NBI, these were Canadian nationals suspected of being members of an international drug syndicate.
 

Toni explained that when the foreigners arrive, they contact their Filipino partners, who then sell their products such as ecstasy, cocaine and methamphetamine.

He added that the Canadian drug syndicate plans to edge out Chinese and West African drug syndicates in the Philippines by selling at lower prices.

 

“Tulad ng shabu, ang benta [ay] P3 million isang kilo. Sa kanila (Canadians), P1 million, okay na. 'Yung cocaine na P4,500 sa labas per gram, sa kanila P2,500, okay na,” Toni said.

 

The Canadians allegedly smuggle drugs by hiding the ingredients in kitchenware. They then process the drugs in their laboratory in Metro Manila.

 

“Nakakalusot dahil nga matagal na sila sa ganitong larangan. Nagawan na nila ng paraan kung paano mapasok ito. Pera-pera, iyon lang. Ganoon lang ang katapat sa lahat,” Toni said.

 

“Unfortunately, at this time, hindi namin alam dahil there was no official communication coming from the official agencies of Canada or any other country,” Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said in the report.

 

Aside from the Bonifacio Global City and Makati areas, the syndicate is also eyeing expanding operations to Cavite, Bulacan and the Visayas, the report said.

 

The NBI conducted raids in BGC and in Makati earlier this month. Aside from drugs, agents found a DVD that detailed how to create drugs by extracting ingredients from various medicines that could be bought over the counter.

 

But NBI Director Virgilio Mendez had a stern warning against drug syndicates that want to enter the Philippines. “Do not do it here because the full force of the law will be after you. Umuwi na lang kayo sa inyo,” he said. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News