THE Philippines to export extasy

[Cure20]

THE Philippines could become a major exporter of the prohibited Ecstasy drug to the United States and Canada where market demand is very high.

With the huge stockpile amassed from smuggled Ecstasy ingredient ( ketamine ), the Philippines could be a major source of Ecstasy to North American countries like the U.S. and Canada as well as Taiwan, Fiji, Palau, Marianas Island, Australia and New Zealand.

Ketamine has allegedly been smuggled in recent months by a Hong Kong-based international drug syndicate using the different bonded warehouses at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( NAIA ) complex in Paranaque City.

This was learned by People's Tonight from a local agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which is spearheading the international anti-drug trafficking campaign known as "Operation: Candy Box."

The drug syndicate is believed to be linked to an alleged Hong Kong-based drug dealer, Zei Wai Wong, who was arrested last March 31 in Canada. He is allegedly one of the major drug ring dealers distributing Ecstasy in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, using tiny islands in the South Pacific as transshipment points.

The syndicate is reportedly eyeing the Philippines as a major base after its laboratories were busted in the South Pacific, in the United States and even China.

It is believed to be behind the series of illegal importations of several tons of the pharmaceutical substance ketamine.

The Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Administration is now tracking down the syndicate's operations in the country.

"This is a very serious issue as the drug money could be used to buy witnesses and law enforcers to avoid prosecution," the source added.