NBI to use Aussie evidence to find syndicate's contacts

The National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will make use of wiretapped conversations obtained by the Australian police to identify the local contacts of the syndicate responsible for smuggling P3.6 billion worth of pseudoephedrine into Cebu two years ago.

Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said representatives of the Australian police will come here on Monday to give them a copy of the tape recording and other documentary evidence against the two leaders of the syndicate who are facing trial in Australia.

Aside from the evidence from Australia they are also expecting other documentary evidence from China. Cuenco said they have sent a team of investigators to China where the pseudoephedrine seized at the Cebu International Port last March 5, 2004 came from.

Although this cannot be used as evidence against the local contacts of the syndicate because it is not allowed by Philippine laws, Cuenco said they can ask members of the Australian police to testify in court once a case is filed.

Among the possible local contacts of the syndicate are the staff of former vice governor John Gregory Osmeña who were listed as incorporators of Coastside Ventures Incorporated, the consignee of the 1,740 kilograms of pseudoephedrine confiscated at the CIP.

The incorporators of Coastside Ventures include Joebert Cuesta, Rowena Roldan and Rorela Villagas, who all used to work with Osmeña. - Fred P. Languido/BRP