Some Drugs In Bohol Shipped By Parcel From Bilibid Prison

Some of the drug supplies coming to Bohol come from Manila, specifically the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa and are sent through parcel service.

This was disclosed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) agent Maria Chona Egam during the recent provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting at the Governor’s Mansion.

NBP is under three departments like the Department of Justice (DOJ) with its Bureau of Corrections or National Prisons, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Bureau of Youth and Child Welfare, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Months ago, subsequent raids at NBP showed the proliferation of illegal drugs, illegal equipment, appliances, and entertainment hubs inside prison cells, boosting claims that drugs may have been manufactured inside the jails.

Years back, PDEA cracked down a drug ring which also used similar strategy using legitimate couriers in their drug trade.

But, when people think that method has been exposed and would not work anymore, PDEA think otherwise.

Under section 5 of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the penalty of imprisonment ranging from 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall sell, trade, administer, dispense, deliver, give away to another, distribute, dispatch in transit or transport any controlled precursor and essential chemical, or shall act as a broker in such transactions.

PPOC has yet to rule on what to do with these legitimate couriers and parcel services that may have wittingly or unwittingly delivered dangerous substances.

While authorities have not been remiss in the mission to apprehend drug pushers through buy busts and raids, the problem lies with the bulk which has entered Bohol and is already distributed to users.

Although most of the bulk deliveries shipped to Bohol would come from Ozamis City in Mindanao, Egam also reported that Cebu is another significant source.

Supplies from Cebu are sneaked into the province through the Roll-On Roll-Off ports through the ports of Tagbilaran, Tubigon, Ubay, Jagna, Talibon, Loon and Getafe while some are brought via fishing vessels, Egam said.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) is still the drug of choice in Bohol, the most saleable and is usually present near schools, fishing communities and tourism destinations, PDEA said.

On a per gram basis, a packet of shabu can be sold for P2,000 to P4,000, according to PDEA, while a big packet (bulto) is sold at P10,000 to P15,000.

In Tagbilaran City, aside from shabu, nubain is also used. (rmn/rac/PIA-7/Bohol)