Chinese gangs behind Philippine illegal drug trade

MANILA, Philippines - Nine Chinese drug cartels operating in Metro Manila are behind the illegal drug operations in the country, an official said yesterday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Sarmiento said some Chinese syndicates have businesses as “legal fronts” while others have connections with influential persons.

“We cannot discount the possibility that these illegal drug operators are connected with big personalities in the country, but establishing the evidence is something else. It is hard to speak if we do not have the evidence directly implicating a personality in illegal drug trade,” Sarmiento said.

What is worse is that these syndicates have penetrated even the smallest municipalities in the country, he added.

Sarmiento said the incidence of illegal drug use in the country is “very high,” but did not provide figures.

The Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies will beef up the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force, he said.

Sarmiento appealed to the public to report to the nearest police station should they encounter or hear about their neighbors’ illegal activities. He said informants should not be worried about their safety because the police will take care of them.