THE titles bandied about in the war against illegal drugs include those of lord and baron. The contraband, shabu, is known in many names.
In the war against illegal drugs, there is a need to be clear with the terms, about what the police are after and what exactly they would want from the public. To get the public’s cooperation, there must be clarity.
The Central Visayas police leadership said there is a new top drug lord in the region. There are several others being monitored on suspicion they are drug lords or barons or whatever. While the public may have an idea of what the police are saying, there must be some information to paint a clearer picture. What makes a drug lord? How can this top drug lord be different from the other so-called lords?
According to online dictionaries, “lord” is used to address a member of the British nobility. “Baron” is the lowest rank of British aristocracy, after a duke, marquis, earl and viscount. Both terms are about nobility and a hierarchy that is titular and operational.
Police operations against illegal drugs interchange the words “lord” and “baron” to refer to people who are believed into selling methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, at a rate of a kilo a week, and have a network of people doing it. This and this person is a drug lord and this other one a baron. But they point to the same thing – the person who makes the illegal drug world go round. The police office can enlighten the public more about the illegal trade, the structure and the peculiarities.
On the matter of shabu, a Facebook user asked if there was a better way to describe the illegal drug of choice in the country. A SunStar Cebu report quoted the Facebook user as saying, “After having read dozens and dozens of drug cases, I’m left with a single question: Is there a more creative way to describe shabu other than ‘white crystalline substance?’” The post got different responses.
“Tawas-looking substance.” “Powdery sprinkles!” “Powdery white glittery substance that looks like halo-halo ice?” The report said there were other descriptions for shabu. “Bato” or stone or “butang” or a thing. In the United States, it is known as meth.
The report quoted a police officer as explaining they use “white crystalline substance” because a laboratory examination is needed to confirm shabu.
On the new top drug lord in the region, Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Noli Taliño said this person is an “old player” based in Cebu and is well-connected. He did not give a name.
Police statements on the existence of drug lords and barons here supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier pronouncement about Cebu having the highest rate for drug use. Duterte said, “Cebu has the highest rate of (drug abuse.) They do not know it. It is about 60 to 70 (percent).” This prompted local police officials to give updates on the war on illegal drugs. It would not hurt for them to be clear and specific in their reports.