PDEA: 2 Filipinos under investigation over PH-bound shabu seized in Laos

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday confirmed that two Filipinos are being linked to the alleged attempt to smuggle 521 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, from Laos to the Philippines via a private jet.

At a press conference, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said alias “Fahad” was arrested at an airport in Laos in connection with the alleged smuggling of drugs.

“Si Fahad, confirmed na Pilipino siya. Yung residence niya ngayon is in Marawi. Meron na tayong listahan kung saan pa yung mga ibang place of residence niya. 'Yan na ngayon ang focus ng ating investigation dahil siya nakapulong ngayon doon,” Nerez said.

(We have confirmed that he is a Filipino. His current residence is in Marawi. We also have a list of his other places of residence, which is the focus of our investigation, as he is currently detained there.)

“But the challenge is we have to establish yung link, sino mga kakuntsaba niya sa Pilipinas (who are his accomplices in the Philippines),” he added.

Meanwhile, alias “Boyet” allegedly arranged the private jet to transport drugs from Laos to the Philippines.

“We have evidence that si Boyet is taga-dito sa Luzon at si Fahad may address sa Luzon parehas po. So that makes sense. It will establish yung link nila na magkakilala,” Nerez said.

(We have evidence that Boyet is from Luzon and that Fahad also has an address in Luzon. This makes sense, as it could establish a link between the two and show that they know each other.)

“Alam namin he's affiliated doon sa drug group na sinusundan namin. Dahil kaibigan niya yung nag-charter ng eroplano na yung tao na ’yan si Boyet ay nasa listahan ng PDEA,” he added.

(We know he is affiliated with the drug group we are monitoring because he is friends with the person who chartered the aircraft. Boyet is also on the PDEA’s watchlist.)

Boyet was reportedly flown to Hong Kong, according to Nerez.

The PDEA official said authorities have information about Fahad’s accomplices in the Philippines but did not go into the details since it is under investigation.

Once authorities establish their identities, Nerez said the next step would be to build cases against them.

He added that Philippine authorities are also seeking more information from their counterparts in Laos about the smuggled drugs.

Initial information showed that the Learjet flew from Malaysia to Laos to pick up 23 pieces of luggage containing illegal drugs, but authorities discovered the drugs after the pilot refused to load them.

Nerez said Fahad could face penalties, including the death penalty, if proven to be involved in drug smuggling. –NB, GMA News