PNP probes if seized Laos drugs bound for Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is verifying claims by foreign authorities that 521 kilograms of “shabu” (crystal meth) seized in Laos early this month was bound for Manila, saying there is no hard evidence yet linking the Philippines to the illegal cargo despite its reported transport by a Filipino passenger.

PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said on Friday authorities were coordinating with their Malaysian and Laotian counterparts to establish the cargo’s intended destination and determine whether any other Filipinos were involved.

“It is too early to draw conclusions because the information is still premature,” Co said in a briefing at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Laos drug seizure: Filipino boarded flight without carry-on baggage

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

He said a Malaysian private jet had landed in Laos, where drugs were allegedly loaded for transport to the Philippines.

“But we will have to look into this. That is still their claim, and there is no hard evidence yet,” he said.

He said investigators would examine the aircraft’s flight plan and other records to determine whether it was scheduled to fly to the Philippines after landing in Laos.

The PNP, however, has yet to receive documents establishing drugs intended for transport to Manila. INQ