PNP looking into drugs seized in Thailand allegedly intended for the Philippines

The Philippine National Police (PNP) islooking into reports of a big drugs seized in Thailand that were allegedly intended for the Philippines.PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said the police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), local police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were coordinating with foreign counterparts to establish the details of the separate incidents.

The PNP chief's spokesman cautioned against immediately linking the country to the seized drugs simply because foreign authorities claimed the shipments were bound for the Philippines.Co said that the alleged Philippine destination remained unconfirmed.

“These are all unconfirmed. Nahuli sa kanila, it's so very easy to point fingers kung saan papunta. But we will have to look kung ano talaga ‘yung nakasulat sa manifest, nakasulat sa destination,” he said, pointing that there was no evidence yet confirming Manila was the intended destination.

Co said initial information indicated that a Malaysian-owned private jet had landed in Laos, where the drugs were allegedly loaded for transport to the Philippines.

However, Co added that they have yet to receive documents or other evidence establishing that the shipment was indeed headed for Manila.“Initial information na na-receive rin natin ay Malaysian-owned plane, private jet and sa Laos lumapag, and then doon daw kinarga at papunta raw dito sa atin,” Co said. “That is their claim, claim pa nila ‘yan. Wala pang hard evidence na binibigay sa atin,” he said, adding that investigators would examine flight plans, manifests and other relevant records to verify the alleged route and destination.

Co said they were coordinating with foreign counterparts to establish the actual destination of the seized drugs, as well as determine whether any Filipinos were involved.

“It’s too early to conclude. It's premature pa na sabihin natin,” Co said, stressing that the claims have yet to be supported by evidence.On Thursday police in Laos intercepted an alleged transnational drug trafficking attempt after a private jet arrived from Subang Airport.

The aircraft had reportedly arrived without any cargo and was scheduled to continue to the Philippines.

The aircraft landed at Luang Prabang International Airport at around 11.30am. At approximately 1.30pm, two vehicles arrived at the airport carrying 23 bags, which were then transferred onto the aircraft with the assistance of airport staff, police said.

Following the discovery, Lao authorities detained 13 people for further investigation. They included the three people who had arrived on the aircraft, as well as 10 Lao nationals — three ground services company staff and seven airport staff who operated the X-ray screening machine.Police said the drugs are believed to have been destined for Manila in the Philippines rather than Malaysia.The investigation into the international drug trafficking attempt is still ongoing.