No probe on showbiz folk, says NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has clarified reports that they are probing members of the local movie industry for alleged use of the designer drug Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or "ecstasy."

"We do not have a list of the alleged ecstasy users and we are not probing any member of the local movie industry for alleged use of the drug," said Dave Segunial, supervising agent of the NBI’s Narcotics Division.

Segunial, however, admitted that the use of ecstasy is a serious problem now being tackled by the NBI.

Ecstasy, a synthetic drug that originally came from the Netherlands, has become popular among "rave" or "techno" party-goers for its "upper" like effects. It has also become popular for its reported effects as a sex stimulant.

Though expensive at P1,400 per tablet, ecstasy has managed to edge out shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride as the drug of choice among the upper middle to upper class users.

Meanwhile, Segunial appealed to users of ecstasy to help the bureau stop the drug menace by helping them track down the sources.

"Information would be helpful in our efforts, especially now that we are rather short on logistical support," Segunial said.

Last April 19, the NBI arrested Jia Li Ye, 24, from Xiamen, China in an entrapment operation at the SM Manila mall.

Seized from Jia were 600 ecstasy tablets with "brands" G-2000, Airplane 747, Yellow Tower, Peach Mango Pie and Green Marijuana.

The NBI said Jia was one of the biggest sources of ecstasy in the country with his supplies being smuggled from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. – Mike Frialde