A drug distribution ring operating in southern Metro Manila and Cavite with ties to an international drug syndicate was busted by the Philippine National Police (PNP), officials reported Monday.
Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa, PNP chief, said operatives of the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) conducted a string of anti-drug operations in Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Bacoor, Cavite over the weekend.
The series of drug busts resulted in the seizure of some 16.5 kilos of high-grade crystal meth or shabu worth P112.2 million in total, the PNP reported.
The anti-drug operations started with the arrest of Kingsley Osita Escobi, Nigerian, and his two Filipino cohorts after they yielded four packs of suspected shabu weighing approximately two kilos in Bacoor City on Friday.
The seized shabu has an estimated street value of P13.6 million.
According to Gamboa, they received a tip that Escobi has links to an international drug syndicate.
“He is believed to have links with the notorious West African Drug Syndicate that is known for its international drug trafficking activities across Asia, Africa, and Europe,” Gamboa said.
The West African Drug Syndicate is among the groups being eyed by the PNP behind the transport of illegal drugs, including shabu and cocaine, to other countries with the Philippines as a transit point.
After the Nigerian’s arrest, PNP-DEG then tracked his dealings with other drug groups operating in southern part of Metro Manila.
Drug busts were then conducted one by one in Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas which led to the apprehension of five other high-value targets.
“The successful result of this major police operation supports the intent of the PNP leadership to redirect the focus of police anti-drug operations to high value targets engaged in trafficking of commercial quantity of drugs 50 grams or more,” Gamboa said.
“More importantly, it describes the intensity of aggressive anti-drug operations that are forthcoming, backed by more technical equipment and highly-trained operatives,” he added. (Martin Sadongdong)
