NBI seizes P53-M ketamine in raid

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced yesterday the confiscation of P53 million worth of ketamine hydrochloride from an Indian businessman suspected to be engaged in the shipment of the dangerous drug to Asian countries.

NBI officer-in-charge Nestor Mantaring said 47-year-old Indian national Harris Abichandi would be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The chemicals, which are used in manufacturing the illegal party drug ketamine, were found stored inside Abichandi’s house in Merville Subdivision, Parañaque City.

The NBI-Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), seized 53,304 vials of ketamine hydrochloride (10 milligrams) and 100 pieces of the tranquilizer drug Stilnox.

The NBI said the country was being used as a transshipment point and processing area for the dangerous drug.

Regional Director Ruel Lasala, NBI-NCR chief, said only a small laboratory and few pieces of equipment are required to convert the liquid into white powder. The party drug is then shipped to nearby countries like Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

"Ketamine when sold in powder form is three times more expensive than in liquid form," Lasala said. Liquid ketamine is sold at P1,000 per vial.

NBI-STF chief Regional Director Reynaldo Esmeralda said they are alarmed over reports of the availability of ketamine in the country.

"The government has recognized the proliferation of ketamine. Before, those arrested for illegal possession of ketamine were only charged with violation of Bureau of Food and Drugs regulations, but since last year those arrested have been slapped with violation of the Dangerous Drugs Board regulations."

The NBI said last Wednesday’s raid yielded the country’s biggest ketamine hail.

The shipment arrived in the country last Monday. Feb. 13 at the Manila port. An informant tipped them of its arrival the same day.

NBI agents immediately conducted a surveillance, and after confirming the report, they applied for a search warrant from Executive Judge Antonio Eugenio Jr., of the Manila RTC, on Feb. 14.

The raid was conducted the next day.

Abichandi denied that he knew that the drugs stored inside his house was prohibited by law.

"Somebody just gave it to me for safekeeping. I was told that it was anesthetic."

Lasala explained that ketamine is an anesthetic that is often abused for its hallucinogenic properties.

Ketamine hydrochloride is often used as an anesthetic for animals by veterinarians.

In tablet form, ketamine is often used as a "rave drug" during parties.

Ketamine has a hypnotic or sleep-inducing effect that increases the blood pressure of the user by 25 percent and the heart rate by 20 percent.

"Sexual predators also use the drug to incapacitate their intended victims. Sometimes, they just mix it with beverages," Lasala said.

It can also be added to marijuana or tobacco.

Ketamine users face the risk off developing serious mental and physical problems. The drug can impair a person’s senses, creating a distorted perception of sight and sound. It can also cause depression, delirium, amnesia, impaired motor functions, high blood pressure, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.

Esmeralda said they would have to go to India as part of the follow-up investigation.

He instructed head agent Arnel Dalumpines, STF executive officer, and another agent to go to India and trace the supplier of the ketamine to the Philippines.