TWO Indians and their Filipino cohort were arrested last Thursday by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents for illegal drug trade in Paco, Manila.
NBI Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) chief Victor Lorenzo identified the arrested persons as Indians Kumar Sunil Motumal and Chutani Rakhi Darabala and their Filipino cohort Mary Chris Mabini.
The three were charged at the Manila Prosecutor’s Office with violation of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), RA 10175 (The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), and RA 9711 (The Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009).
Lorenzo said the three were arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by NBI-CCD agents last January 31 at the Anmol Indian General Merchandise which the suspects operate in Paco, Manila.
Operatives seized from the suspects seven sealed gold-colored boxes labeled “Kamini Kidrawan Ras” and “For Sale in India Only.”
The “Kamini Vidrawan Ras” boxes, when examined by the NBI’s Forensic Chemistry Division (FCD), were found positive for the presence of opium and morphine substances.
NBI agents also seized during the operation small boxes containing rabies vaccines.
Lorenzo said the suspects failed to present license or certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the vaccines.
The NBI official said the operation was conducted as an offshoot of the August 2018 arrests of several Indians in Paco, who sold drugs under the guise of herbal medicines through their mobile phones. (Jeffrey Damicog)
