Now cooking: Shabu at sea

Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF)  chief Director Marcelo Ele Jr. has revealed that drug syndicates have resorted to "cooking" shabu on private yachts sailing on the high seas.

During yesterday’s weekly Fernandina Media Forum held at Club Filipino in San Juan, Ele said the stepped up campaign of police and the other anti-drug authorities has cut the supply of illegal drugs, especially shabu.

However, since drug syndicates have started using floating drug labs, authorities have had difficulty tracking them.

He said even the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has no fast craft or speed boats used by other anti-drug agencies in foreign countries.

Ele said they are currently coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the monitoring of vessels.

He also said that based on intelligence reports, the syndicates would "cook" shabu on yachts and bring the illegal drugs on board small bancas  to the shore for distribution.

The syndicates also give full protection to chemists on the vessels. – Sandy Araneta