House to probe interception of half-ton shabu shipment bound for PH

MANILA, Philippines — The House Dangerous Drugs Committee is set to probe the attempted smuggling of 521 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine) valued at P3.5 billion intercepted in Laos bound for the Philippines, its chairman Las Pinas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said on Wednesday.

Santos said his panel summoned Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Isagani Nerez to a preliminary briefing on Thursday.

“The briefing will focus on verified facts, the status of ongoing investigations by concerned agencies, the basis for establishing any Philippine connection to the shipment, and measures to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and combat related transnational criminal activities,” he said in a statement.

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READ: PNP-CIDG issues 40 subpoenas over 521-kg Laos shabu shipment

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Laotian authorities intercepted a Philippines-bound private jet loaded with 23 pieces of luggage packed with shabu, according to Santos. The contraband was fraudulently declared on the manifest as vape products, he said.

The Philippines’ Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has subpoenaed 40 individuals tied to the shipment, including 11 “persons of interest” in drug smuggling attempt, according to CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Alexander Morico II.

Last Friday, Remulla named a former Bangsamoro lawmaker, a former pilot, and the designated Manila consignee among 11 primary persons of interest in the foiled shipment.

“We will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” said Santos. “No one should be beyond scrutiny when the objective is to protect the public from the illegal drug trade.”

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“At the same time, allegations must be examined fairly, and every individual must be given the opportunity to respond,” he added.

Santos said the dangerous drugs panel will coordinate with “relevant government agencies” to gather evidence and pin those behind the multibillion-peso drug bust. /mr