THE arrest of Nigerian James Cunta Okwudili Uyanneh brings to mind the recent arrests of Filipinos and African nationals carrying large amounts of illegal drugs.
On July 3, a 35-year-old Filipina, who was caught in China for carrying about six kilos of heroin, was executed. Last April, Nigerian national Sunday Michael Owoborode was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for carrying three kilos of suspected shabu.
In Sept. 2011, authorities arrested Kenyan national Asha Atieno Oguto for bring in three kilos of suspected shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) into the Mactan Cebu International Airport.
Lawyer Bernard dela Cruz, supervising agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7, said international drug syndicates like to use Filipinos and African nationals as drug carriers.
Train
He said representatives of drug syndicates come to the Philippines looking for potential mules or carriers.
“I think they are grooming Filipinos,” he said. "They are looking for loyal and brave (ones)to train.” He added that jobless Filipinos are potential recruits.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has reportedly arrested 53 foreign drug traffickers, 26 of them Chinese nationals.
PDEA chairperson Arturo Cacdac Jr. said Chinese nationals topped the list of the foreigners arrested with 26 or 49 percent of the total foreign drug personalities caught from January to June this year.
They are followed by members of the African Drug Syndicate (ADS). Philippine authorities arrested 13 ADS members, seven of whom or 53.8 percent are Nigerian nationals.
Recruitment
The arrested African nationals were believed to be involved in the recruitment of several overseas Filipino workers who were caught for transporting illegal drugs. The Chinese Government executed five Filipinos in relation to illegal drugs.
From January to June 2013, PDEA and other law enforcement units conducted a total of 7,789 anti-illegal drugs operations, which resulted in the seizure of about P1.2 billion worth of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs). Law enforcers arrested 4,476 drug personalities and 333 of them were high-value targets.
The arrests led to the filing of 5,006 cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, a non-bailable offense.
Depending on the volume of illegal drugs seized, a convicted drug peddler may face life imprisonment.
