PDEA names 3 int’l groups as biggest shabu suppliers

MANILA -- Three transnational drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the biggest sources of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official said on Tuesday.

In a statement, PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino identified these as the United Bamboo Gang (Bamboo Triad), 14K Triad or Hongkong Triad, and Sun Yee On Triad, three of the most powerful DTOs involved in the global illegal drug market.

These triads, which have their roots in dialect groups, trade guilds or political movements, are now responsible for much of the world’s drug trafficking and vice establishments.

“The Bamboo triad, which is based in Taiwan, was formed during the 1950s. Their members are engaged in almost every illegal activity imaginable, from prostitution, eFour years later, it relocated to Hong Kong following the defeat of nationalist forces. At present, it exerts considerable influence over West Kowloon, Yuen Long and Kwun Tong and is engaged in large-scale drug-trafficking around the world.

Sun Yee On Triad started in Hongkong in 1919. Presently, it is based in mainland China and Macau and has more than 55,000 members world-

wide and is said to be the most organized and wealthiest triad society.

The 14K and Sun Yee On Triads are arch-rivals with a propensity for violence. Both are supplying Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, a dangerous and powerful international drug trafficking organization based in Mexico City, with raw materials needed to manufacture shabu, as demand skyrockets.

Ties between these triads and Sinaloa cartel were outlined in a report by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office in 2013.

Details of the Sinaloa Drug Cartel connection in the country was discovered in the wake of the confiscation of some PHP420 million worth of shabu during a joint PDEA-PNP Christmas Day raid in 2013 at a game fowl ranch in Lipa City, Batangas.

The ranch is leased by Mexican nationals who are alleged members of the drug cartel.

Horacio Herrera Hernandez, a high-ranking member of Sinaloa Drug Cartel, was arrested during a buy-bust operation in front of a restaurant along Makati Avenue, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City on January 11, 2015. PNA