PDEA tracing source, receiver of seized drugs from S. Africa

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 has continued its backtrack investigation to track down the source as well as the receiver of the P120 million worth of shabu seized from a South African national at the MactanCebu International Airport (MCIA) last week.

Backtracking investigations are conducted by the authorities to ensure that sources of the arrested suspects are identified and that their future diversions will be prevented.

Newly appointed PDEA-7 Regional Director Jigger Montallana said he could not divulge further information on the progress of their backtracking investigation.

But he said they continue to hunt down the South African suspect's contact in Cebu.

"So, we could have a face kung sino yung mga nagparating. Kasi ito (suspect) courier lang ito eh. And knowing na may pumasok na ganito kalaking drugs into the province of Cebu, we have to go after kung sino yung mga persons behind bringing these yung mga contacts nila," said Montallana.

Last week, South African Pietro Aliquo, who arrived in Cebu from Doha, Qatar, was arrested following a joint operation of PDEA-7, the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu-Subport of Mactan, and other law enforcement agencies for carrying a total of 10 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 17,699 grams worth P120,353,200 in the hidden compartments of his briefcase and two suitcases.

In a talk with LapuLapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, who was also at the airport during his arrest, the suspect said that someone asked him to bring the luggage bag to the Philippines and that he had already booked a hotel for its pick-up.

Montallana said they had already filed charges for violating Section 4 (importation of dangerous drugs), Article II of the Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the suspect.

He explained that the illegal drugs originally came from South Africa, particularly in the city of Johannesburg, which had a transit point in Doha, Qatar then to Mactan in the Philippines.

He stated that they are set to coordinate with the authorities of the South African government.

For now, Montallana said they are waiting for more relevant information from their counterparts, such as the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu-Subport of Mactan.

Montallana said they would provide the results of their initial investigation to the South African government to find out where the said drugs really originated.

"So that they can also follow-up on who they can investigate in the part where these dangerous drugs originated, including those who booked his hotel. The ones who were responsible for facilitating the travel of this South African individual," Montallana added. —