PNP probes foreign drug links in P19.2-M marijuana seized in WPS

Headquarters of the Philippine National Police and its logo. File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it is investigating the possibility of foreign drug personalities being linked to the P19.2 million-worth of marijuana recently seized near Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Navy finds P19M ‘kush’ marijuana off Escoda Shoal

According to the PNP in a statement, it is already coordinating with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and other foreign counterparts to determine the link between foreign drug personalities allegedly operating in the country and the recent haul of illegal drugs.

“We are further strengthening our coordination with Interpol to identify those behind this. We are also enhancing our intelligence exchange to track foreign drug personalities who may be operating in or targeting the Philippines,” PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in Filipino.

“We need the assistance of other agencies, as the scope of our monitoring is extensive,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nartatez said the PNP also intends to work with local government units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to engage coastal communities through meetings and information campaigns aimed at preventing illegal drugs from entering the country through maritime routes.

It was last week when the crew of the Navy patrol gunboat BRP Lolinato To-Ong and members of the Maritime CAFGU Active Auxiliary Unit–West fished a suspicious black bag out of the water during a maritime patrol.

It was then discovered that the bag contained 32 plastic packs of suspected high-grade marijuana, weighing approximately 16 kilograms. /jpv