NBI nabs suspected members of West African drug ring

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation recently arrested a Guinean and Thai national, both suspected to be members of the dreaded West African Drug Syndicate (WADS),  after they were caught in possession of some P5 million worth of cocaine.

In a report, the NBI identified the arrested WADS members as Kamano Pascal, Guinean (native of Guinea-Bissau), male; and Kanchanaphon Chenchunwithan, Thai, female.

The two were arrested by operatives of the NBI Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, during operations at 4:30 p.m. last Sunday in Malate, Manila.

The arrest was made following a report that they are about to smuggle out of the country about one kilo of cocaine, worth about P5 million.

The two are facing charges for violation of Section 5 (transporting) in relation to Section 26 (conspiracy) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The two are now detained at the NBI detention.

NBI said that on April 7, the bureau received a report from an informant that WADS members are operating in the country and will be smuggling cocaine out of the country via a female Thai drug mule. The Thai drug mule was to be billeted at Stargate Pensionne, Malate, Manila within the second week of April, the information said.

The arrival of the drug couriers was monitored by the NBI and at the same time, Stargate was placed under surveillance.

On April 16, the Thai checked in at the said lodging house with a luggage. She was seen accompanied by a black male subject.

On April 19, NBI operatives were alerted that the black male would be leaving the lodging house within the day.

At around 2:30 p.m. of the same day, the black male was seen walking toward a convenience store in Malate.

The black subject was seen going out of the store with a package, and was approached by the NBI operatives. The NBI agents then inspected the package which contained the cocaine.

The NBI then brought the Guinean in their pension house at Room 317 where the Thai was.

The NBI also found inside a bag in the room more of the cocaine in capsulized form, packaging tape, and plastic bags.