2 Koreans yield P1-M ketamine in Clark drug sting

MABALACAT CITY – Authorities arrested two Korean national who allegedly yielded P1 million worth of ketamine in a buy-bust operation at the Clark Freeport Zone on Tuesday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office in Central Luzon said the two Koreans, aged 31 and 38, were working in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) but did not release further details about their employment.

It said one of the Koreans has been in the Philippines for a year while the other one arrived in the country six months ago. 

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“Operating teams recovered approximately 200 grams of ketamine valued at P1,000,000, one mobile phone, and the marked buy-bust money,” the PDEA said.

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PDEA said it had initially received confidential information about the suspects’s alleged illegal activities.

After verifying the information, PDEA conducted the buy-bust operation against the two Koreans at a resort in Clark Freeport.

The arrested suspects are facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In 2005, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB) included ketamine in the list of regulated and controlled drugs.

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While used as an anaesthetic by doctors and veterinarians, ketamine is also used recreationally which is against Philippine law. It is a dissociative drug that causes individuals to hallucinate. 

DBB allows licensed doctors and veterinarians to prescribe a maximum of only 1.5 grams of ketamine per patient. /gsg