Caticlan P5-M drug haul a ‘victory’

Something evil lurks in paradise – but authorities are on the lookout.

Proof of such an intense watch was the P5 million worth of illegal drugs — Ecstasy, Mogadon, shabu, marijuana and cocaine — seized by anti-narcotics agents last May 11 at the Caticlan port in Malay, Aklan, the gateway to the island paradise of Boracay.

Aklan Gov. Jovencio Miraflores described the seizure and the arrest of three suspects as a "victory" of the strict enforcement of security measures in the top tourist destination.

"Security checks start from the point of embarkation to the island, the Caticlan jetty port, and when in the island, alert security groups keep tourists away from trouble and danger," he said in a statement.

Miraflores, however, denied speculations that drug trafficking exists in Boracay. "This arrest alone is a testimony to how effective the security measures now in place. Many will try but they will always be caught for this habit will never take roots in the island resort," he said.

Nevertheless, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is deploying its agents to various beach resorts, including those in Boracay, to track down drug traffickers.

As part of strict measures, PDEA director Anselmo Avenido said the pieces of baggage of Boracay-bound tourists are routinely checked at the Caticlan port, which is 20 minutes boat ride to Boracay.

Avenido added that his agency has been closely coordinating with beach resorts frequented by foreign tourists, including those in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro and Palawan.

The May 11 drug haul in Caticlan included 1,100 Mogadon tablets, 1,732 Ecstasy pills, 24.7 grams of marijuana, three packs of shabu weighing 96.7 grams, 3.6 grams of cocaine, and four Diazepom tablets.

Other items confiscated were a bottle of a Japanese version of Viagra, drug paraphernalia, a burner, aluminum foil, cocaine vials, pipes and tooters.

The three arrested suspects — Sepero Sakasawa, 30, and his fiancée Jessie Rose Geron, 25, both of Makati City; and their housemaid, Vicvic Perucho, of Cagayan de Oro City — have been charged with violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Last April 22, Jose Kim Cuadra, alleged leader of a drug syndicate, and two companions were also nabbed in Caticlan while about to board a chartered plane for Bacolod City. About 11.3 grams of shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from them.

Miraflores said resort owners as well as residents of Boracay would not allow drug trafficking to tarnish the reputation of the island which, he said, earned over P600 million in the first quarter of 2002 alone.