Drug couriers using Manila malls for deals, cops say

Aside from the possibility of bomb scares, the Western Police District (WPD) is now keeping a tight watch on several malls in the city following reports that drug couriers are now using them in their illegal activities.

This was revealed by operatives of the WPD’s Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) with the arrest of an alleged drug courier at the Isetann Department Store along C.M. Recto Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila, over the weekend.

Chief Inspector Jose Mario Espino, chief of the WPD-DEG, identified the suspect as Nadzer Mohammad, 25, a native of Maguindanao, and a resident of Filinvest I, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Seized from Mohammad were 25 grams of shabu and P15,000 in marked money.

Mohammad was arrested after several weeks of surveillance by anti-drug operatives after reports of drug deals taking place in large malls in Manila.

With the help of an informant, Espino’s men were able to set up a drug deal with Mohammad in a restaurant on the fourth floor of Isetann.

According to Espino, Mohammad did not bring the illegal drugs during the initial transaction, but returned with the shabu after verifying that the poseur-buyers had the money.

Shortly after the first meeting, Mohammad returned with 25 grams of shabu, and was immediately arrested by the anti-drug operatives after he received the marked money.

During interrogation, Mohammad revealed he sourced his shabu from contacts whom he said were Muslim women posing as mall promenaders. He, however, refused to reveal their identities, saying he only knew them by their faces.

Mohammad also said his group usually moves their operations to other malls to avoid detection. He said most of his customers were students.

Espino said drug pushers have revised their mode of operation after most of their transactions, which took place on the streets, were busted by the police. – Nestor Etolle