PDEA to conduct inquiry on source of seized cocaine

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday tagged as an “international drug case” the discovery of high-grade cocaine at a container yard in Sasa, Davao City, saying it will coordinate with its counterparts abroad to determine the source and destination of the contraband.

It has asserted its lead role in investigating the source of 16 kilograms of cocaine inside reefer machines at the Maersk container yard as Director General Dionisio Santiago said the police were expected to turn over to them the seized items yesterday.

“This will enable us to conduct profiling on the seized cocaine before we proceed with the legal process of obtaining a court order to destroy the drugs,” the PDEA chief said in a statement.

Santiago said the accidental discovery of the initial eight kilograms on Dec. 10 and the subsequent detection of ano-ther eight kilograms in follow-up operations the following day require an in-depth investigation as to the source of the illegal drugs and their intended destinations.

“This is an international case that requires close coordination with both foreign and domestic law enforcement counterparts as well as the company (Maersk),” Santiago said.

The PDEA chief said he will also discuss the Davao cocaine case with those attending the second PDEA Director General’s meeting with foreign counterparts today at the agency’s headquarters.

“This (case) is detrimental to the image and reputation of our country and its citizens,” he added.

Santiago arrived Friday night from an international conference with the chiefs of drug law enforcement agencies from Malaysia, China and Vietnam to tackle issues on drug couriers or “mules” being recruited by West African drug syndicates. 

Further, the agency welcomed the move of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs to conduct an investigation on the Davao incident.

Moreover, after the discovery of 16 kilos of suspected cocaine in three empty container vans, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales ordered an investigation into the possibility that the Philippines is being used as a transshipment point for the contraband items.

Morales yesterday said he instructed the BOC-PDEA to conduct a thorough probe and to coordinate with the local authorities in Davao City.

“This is the first time that we have received such a report of cocaine in the country this year. We want to know that if the Philippines via Davao is indeed being used as a transshipment point and who is their contact person or their local counterpart here,” said Morales.