Illegal drug trade in the Philippines

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The illegal drug trade in the Philippines remains a serious national concern. Two of the most used and valuable illegal drugs in the country are methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and marijuana.[1][2] Ephedrine and methylenedioxy methamphetamine are also among the list of illegal drugs that are of great concern to the authorities. [3]

Marijuana production

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency identified that the mountainous parts of Northern Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao are viable for marijuana cultivation. Marijuana produced in the country is distributed locally and is also exported to other countries. Local distribution of marijuana increased in 2012 despite destruction of illegal marijuana plantations.[3]

Methamphetamine production

Drug syndicates have been producing methamphetamine in small-scale and kitchen-type laboratories to avoid detection by the Philippine authorities since 2010. Usually, drug syndicates rent warehouses for use as drug laboratories. These syndicates have moved towards renting houses in private subdivisions, condominiums and apartments to be used as bases for their illegal drug production. Private properties are becoming more favorable to drug syndicates as sites of illegal drug production.[3]

Methamphetamine remains more feasible to sell in the Philippines than cocaine, a more costly illegal drug.[4]

Transnational drug trade

Owing to its geographical location, international drug syndicates use the Philippines as a transit hub for the illegal drug trade.[5][1] Some local drug syndicates are also involved in the international illegal drug trade, and utilize drug mules to transport small amounts of illegal drugs to other countries. Some overseas Filipino workers have been utilized by drug syndicates as drug mules, either knowingly or unknowingly. Most Filipino drug mules, mainly women, are sent to China, where drug convicts will face execution via lethal injection.[6] The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been identified as a favorable illegal drug trafficking hub. [3]

Some Filipinos choose to be involved in drug trafficking due to the promise of a high income. Some still participate in such illicit activity because they are forced by certain circumstances. There were reports in the past that some Filipinos, usually women, were forced and blackmailed by drug syndicates to work as drug couriers, and if they refused, their family's safety would be compromised.[7]

The Manila-based firm, Pacific Strategies & Assessments, identified the Philippines as, "not only a transhipment point, but also a key producer of synthetic drugs for all of Asia" in a report made in 2009.[8]

In December 2013, The Philippine National Police - Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force and the Philippine Drug Enforcement confirmed reports that the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel had started operations in the country.[7][9]

Chinese involvement

About nine Chinese drug cartels are involved on most illegal drug trade in the Philippines. [10] The U.S. Department of State found out that Chinese drug cartels are behind the trade of methamphetamine hydrochloride on the Philippines.[11][1]

Party drugs

MDMA (ecstasy), one of the party drugs, is the third most abused drug, next to cannabis and methamphetamine.[12]

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency discovered the production of "fly high", after a raid on a condominium unit in Makati.[13] The effects of use of fly high includes sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and high libido.[14]

Extent

On Metro Manila, most barangays are being affected by illegal drugs.[1] According to the 2011 UN Drug Report, the Philippines has the highest methamphetamine hydrochloride abuse rate.[11]

Drug use among minors

Minors of high school age mostly involved on illegal drug use.[2] Inhalants are commonly used among minors, especially street children.[12] Street children in the Philippines are most likely to be inhalant abusers.[15]

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency statistics of 2014 recorded 40% of minors arrested for drug possession,[16] and drug syndicates use children as drug pushers.[17] Children arrested for drug possession or use are brought to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in compliance to Republic Act No. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006).[17]

Arrests

Most arrests related to illegal drugs involves users of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).[1][18]

Arrests of government officials and employees

About 45% of government employees are mainly arrested for drug possession, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Several government officials have been arrested for drug possession, like former PDEA Special Enforcement Service director and Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino.[19]

Trade value

As of 2013, the illegal drug trade in the Philippines amounted to $8.4 billion .[4]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ PDEA 2013, p. 17.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 PDEA 2012, p. 15.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ PDEA 2013, p. 14.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

References

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External links

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