Drug busters deployed in airports, seaports

In a bid to limit movements of transnational drug syndicates, Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay yesterday ordered strict security measures at airports and seaports.

"The airports and seaports are now being used as transshipment point by drug syndicates so we must tighten our watch and thwart their illegal activities," said Aglipay in an interview, referring to four people bound for Italy arrested for illegal possession of shabu.

Arnel Gasga, 38, of 119 Looban St., Aniban, Bacoor, Cavite; his wife, Rosemarie, 34; and their two children, yielded 220 grams of shabu worth P1.2 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The four were about to board a flight to Italy when a team headed by Superintendent John Sosito of the Anti-Drug Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOTF) cornered them at the West Wing, X-Ray Section of the departure area of the NAIA.

The Gasgas were on their way to Milan, where Arnel is employed.

In his report to Aglipay, Sosito said the neatly-packed shabu, contained in 12 pieces transparent plastic bags, were inserted inside the handle tubes of the suspects’ two luggage.

The suspects were brought to the AID-SOTF headquarters in Camp Crame and the seized evidence were forwarded to the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for examination.

Aglipay said the case of Gasgas showed that the drug syndicates are now using airports and seaports to smuggle prohibited drugs out of the country .

"We are working overtime. Let it be known that nobody will be spared in our effort to curb the supply and demand of shabu in the country," said Aglipay.

Aglipay also sought the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), PNP Aviation Security Group (ASG) and Bureau of Customs (BuCus) in securing airports and seaports.

Aglipay said they are now going after the remaining transnational drugs syndicates, who reportedly moved their operations to the provinces to escape the "heat" of the AID-SOTF anti-drug campaign in Metro Manila.

"We are hot on their trail wherever they go," said Aglipay.

The Gasgas are presently undergoing tactical interrogation to determine their contacts abroad and whether they belong to a drug syndicate based in the country.