PDEA agents catch Ecstasy dealer in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines – Anti-narcotics agents nabbed on Thursday a suspected supplier of designer drug Ecstasy in a drug buy-bust operation in Quezon City. They seized 50 Ecstasy tablets, worth about P75,000, from suspect, the biggest haul of the drug so far this year. Suspect Richard Calayag, who allegedly supplies the illegal substance to patrons of high-end night clubs in Metro Manila, was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Calayag is allegedly employed by the Chinese Triad to distribute of the party drug to night spots frequented by rich people. Ecstasy is the street name for MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a drug that produces a euphoric state without hallucinations. PDEA agents arrested Calayag around 9 a.m. at the Starbucks branch on Morato Avenue in Quezon City. Under questioning, Calayag said the source of the drugs is a Chinese believed to be a member of the Chinese drug Triad who imports Ecstasy to the Philippines. Calayag will be charged for delivering dangerous drgus, a nonbailable offense that carries a penalty of life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million. In a press conference where Calayag was presented, PDEA director general Dionisio Santiago said the suspect is a member of the so-called "Alibata" group, which is identified through their tatooes on the body with alibata characters. Alibata is the ancient Filipino alphabet. Santiago said PDEA agents had started checking on Calayag's possible contacts at the clubs where he sells the drugs. ”These can be the bouncers, the waiters, and even the management,” Santiago said. Calayag’s arrest resulted in the biggest Ecstasy haul this year by anti-illegal drugs operatives. "In the past, we only seized only ten ecstasy tablets in one operation,” the PDEA chief said. Santiago said their operation against the distribution of the designer drug would continue until they totally cut its supply. "We are just waiting for another distributor of the drugs, the one who will replace Calayag," he said. - GMANews.TV