MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is tracking down local cohorts linked to an international drug syndicate following a thwarted attempt to smuggle over 500 kilograms of shabu into the country using a private aircraft from Laos.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez stated that authorities have identified a Filipino suspect named Fahad, who was arrested abroad after pilots aborted the flight upon discovering the illicit cargo. Intelligence sharing with Laos authorities confirmed that the notorious Samgor drug syndicate orchestrated the operation.
“This Fahad is confirmed to be Filipino, his residence is in Marawi… he also has residence here in Luzon and we have a list of his residences,” Nerez said during a press briefing on Monday, October 12.
“That is now the focus of our investigation but the challenge is we have to establish the link, who are his cohorts in the Philippines,” he added.
Investigators also tracked down an associate named Boyet, who allegedly arranged Fahad’s travel from Malaysia to Laos where the 521 kilograms of shabu were set to be loaded. However, immigration records show Boyet fled to Hong Kong a day prior to authorities identifying Fahad.
Both suspects are reportedly tied to the Samgor syndicate, a coalition of gangs heavily involved in regional drug trafficking. Nerez noted that while utilizing a private plane is unusual for narcotics smuggling, the syndicate continuously finds alternative entry routes into the Philippines.
Adding to past operations, PNP Spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co emphasized the significance of intercepting the shipment through robust international cooperation.
Nerez also revealed that authorities previously thwarted a separate maritime attempt in August involving a ship carrying over 1,000 kilos of shabu.
Fahad is currently detained and faces capital punishment under the strict anti-drug laws of Laos.