GOVERNMENT agents yesterday arrested two Pakistani nationals and seized assorted dangerous and regulated drugs worth P1 million inside a downtown hotel in Cebu City.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 Operations Chief Levi Ortiz identified the two as Chaudhry Aziz, 33, and Majid B. Khan, 30, both from Islamabad, Pakistan.
The duo, however, has alien certificates of registration, indicating that they have been living in the Philippines for several years.
They reportedly live in Pasay City and it was their first time to allegedly deliver the assorted drugs to Cebu.
Seized from them were more than 2,000 vials of Ketamine, Nitrazepam and Lorezepam, all tranquilizer drugs; 44 boxes of Viagra, a potency pill; and 39 strips of Cytotec, an abortifacient drug.
The Dangerous Drugs Board has already labeled Ketamine as a dangerous drug following reports of its widespread illegal use in rave parties and dance clubs.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration even considers Ketamine a date-rape drug as its effects would make the users suffer from delirium, amnesia and long-term memory loss and cognitive difficulties.
Ortiz said Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 also classifies Ketamine as a dangerous drug, making it illegal for one to peddle or use it.
The two Pakistani nationals were caught in possession of the assorted drugs inside a room of a downtown hotel around 9 a.m. yesterday.
Ortiz said they stayed in the same hotel following a tipster’s information that the duo will bring the items in one of the rooms.
The seized drugs were supposed to be delivered to their clients in Cebu.
Ortiz said the foreigners were detained at the PDEA 7 headquarters on R.R. Landon St., Cebu City and will be charged with violations of RA 9165. (GC)
