Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jan 2006
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2006
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

SHABU SNEAKED INTO THE COUNTRY THROUGH AIRPORTS, SEAPORTS - AIDSOTF

The Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) is
strengthening ties with its foreign counterparts to prevent drug
syndicates from sneaking shabu finished products into the country
through airports and seaports.

AIDSOTF chief Director Marcelo Ele Jr. admitted that drug syndicates
have shifted their shabu laboratories elsewhere and are now sneaking
their finished products into the country through airports and seaports.

"We are coordinating with our foreign counterparts to prevent drug
syndicates from dumping their illegal products in the country," said
Ele.

AIDSOTF operatives are also dispatched to airports and seaports to
monitor shabu shipments.

Ele said they are also closely monitoring importers of precursors and
chemical ingredients for the manufacture of ketamine, which is fast
becoming acceptable to young drug users.

Since its inception in 2003, AIDSOTF busted 49 shabu laboratories and
warehouses and confiscated at least P3.8 billion of shabu and raw materials.

Ele said his men were presently shadowing three known big-time drug
traffickers believed behind the continued presence of shabu in the
streets of Metro Manila and other parts of the country. He refused to
elaborate though so as not to jeopardize the ongoing follow-up operations.

While AIDSOTF is intensifying its effort to reduce the supply of shabu
in the country, Ele said they are also trying to reduce the demand for
illegal drugs by visiting schools and workplaces to educate students
and employees on the dangers of prohibited drugs.

"We are touching base with school officials, community and religious
groups and non-government organizations to keep our children and
workers away from the influence of shabu and other drugs," he said.

Ele also recruited lawyer Lyra Valera to strengthen the AIDSOTF legal
front against drug syndicates.

"We want arrested drug pushers to rot in jail, so we fortified our
legal team and hired Valera," said Ele, noting that the lady lawyer
volunteered to accompany AIDSOTF agents during surveillance and actual
anti-drug operations.

Valera would coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to see to
it that arrested big-time drug traffickers would get convicted.

The AIDSOTF, Ele said, would intensify its livelihood programs to keep
workers away from marijuana plantations, especially in the Cordillera
region. 
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MAP posted-by: Tom