BOC, PDEA nab major ‘Ecstasy’ supplier

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine authorities have busted a suspected major supplier of the illegal drug “Ecstasy” in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces,  the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Friday, April 4.

The BOC said in a statement that a parcel belonging to the suspect, identified as Prabhjot Singh Gill, was seized by the BOC on April 2, which was confirmed to contained 500 tablets of the the illegal drug with a street value of P750,000.

The suspect was earlier  arrested following a buy-bust operation at his condominium unit along Taft Avenue in Manila on March 23, the BOC said.

The joint operations were conducted  by the BOC Intelligence Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office III,  in cooperation with the Philippine Postal Corp (PHLPOST) Investigation and Inspection Division.

Based on a tip from a confidential informant, and verified by Gill himself, the latter had purchased 500 tablets of  3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA) or  “Ecstasy,” from an online black market website using BitCoin. His purchase was sent to the Philippines through mail parcel from the Netherlands, and was intercepted by the BOC.

PDEA Regional Director Jeoffrey Tacio said PDEA’s investigation pointed to Gill as a major supplier of the illegal drug in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. He was believed to be the primary source of the drug sold at a recent music festival in Pampanga.

“We believe that Gill is a major supplier of Ecstasy in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.  Based on our investigation, the bulk of the Ecstasy sold at the  7107 Music Festival in Pampanga last February where we arrested 4 persons for marijuana possession came from him,” Tacio said.

Challenge

He said based on Gill’s statement to the PDEA, “drug traders are taking advantage of the internet and online selling sites.”

“These findings is another challenge and will change the way we operate,” Tacio said.

Charo Logarta Lagamon, chief of the BOC Public Information and Assistance Division, said recent incidents suggest that “drug traffickers are experimenting with various routes and modes of sending and delivery to see if these are viable for drug smuggling.”

In February, 6 sacks of regulated drugs, including anti-anxiety drugs Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam) were seized at the PHLPOST’s Central Mail Distribution Center in Pasay. 

The shipment, which was declared as used clothing and shoes, was consigned to Winnie Ramos of Marikina City and shipped by Faham Jamal of the Department of Sciences in Islamabad, Pakistan. 

Last month, authorities in Davao City discovered 51 bricks of cocaine worth over P300 million hidden in a container van meant for banana exports. – Rappler.com