NBI team going to Laos to probe shabu shipment

MANILA, Philippines — Marke ernesteThe National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is preparing to send investigators to Laos to probe a Filipino allegedly involved in a foiled attempt to smuggle 521 kilos of suspected shabu worth P3.54 billion into the Philippines.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the team was ready to leave, and was only awaiting clearance from Lao authorities.

The NBI is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the mission.

“We’re ready to go to Laos, but we are waiting for their go-signal,” Matibag told reporters.

The NBI intends to question the arrested Filipino suspect and the Lao officers who seized the illegal drugs to determine who arranged the shipment and who else may have been involved.

Matibag said the mission was not intended to take custody of the suspect, adding that the alleged offense took place outside Philippine jurisdiction.

The drugs were confiscated on Oct. 1 at Luang Prabang International Airport after Lao authorities intercepted a chartered private jet reportedly bound for the Philippines.

The NBI has identified at least 10 people and entities of interest in the case. The bureau is also coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to establish possible local links.

Matibag said the NBI wanted to determine who the Filipino suspect had communicated with and identify those behind the drug shipment, which authorities believe was intended for the Philippine market.