Australian national linked to Mexican drug cartel nabbed in Cebu

An Australian national allegedly linked to the Mexican drug cartel was apprehended by authorities in  San Remigio town in Cebu. 

According to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration-Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) said the high-profile fugitive was also under the “red notice” list of the international police. 

“Nag-umpisa sa pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa US DEA o Drug Enforcement Agency it at Indonesian police kaugnay sa impormasyon na may isang lider ng isang drug trafficking organization na dito nagtatago sa Pilipinas,” BI-FSU chief Rendel Sy. 

(The arrest started when the US DEA and the Indonesian police coordinated with the Philippine authorities on the whereabouts of the leader of a drug trafficking organization here in our country.)

“Medyo naging challenging ang paghahanap sa kaniya kasi alam niya na pinaghahanap siya ng batas kaya iba't ibang passports o ID ang ginagamit niya dito upang malaya siyang makapaglipat nang pinagtataguan,” Sy.

(Locating him was challenging because he was using different passports or IDs to move and evade authorities.)

The arrested suspect is now detained at the BI detention facility. 

“May outstanding warrant of arrest din siya sa Indonesia. Sinasabing may na-intercept na delivery nang malaking halaga ng shabu sa Indonesia at kung saan sinundan nga ito ng mga tauhan ng US DEA,” said Sy. 

(He has an outstanding warrant of arrest in Indonesia. They said a delivery in Indonesia was intercepted and the US DEA followed the delivery.)

“Sinasabi rin na connected din siya sa isang drug cartel sa Mexico dahil napag-alaman na itong drugs na dumating sa Indonesia ay directly nanggagaling sa Mexico,” he added. 

(The suspect was also believed to be connected to the Mexican drug cartel.)

GMA Integrated News reached out to the suspect for comment but he declined to issue a statement. 

Meanwhile, the BI said it is conducting backtracking activities to identify the local contacts of the Australian fugitive. —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News