The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating a possible link between a Davao-based drug syndicate and the seizure of 521 kilograms of suspected shabu from a chartered private jet in Laos earlier this month.
PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said investigators are following information about a suspected drug network operating in Mindanao.
Intelligence reports indicate that a man identified as alias “Boyet,” suspected of leading the syndicate, allegedly arranged to charter a Learjet for $49,500 to transport drugs from Laos to the Philippines, Nerez said. The planned route was to begin in Subang, Malaysia, stop in Luang Prabang, Laos, and continue to the Philippines.
The shipment was uncovered after the Malaysian pilot refused to carry the baggage, prompting the charter company to cancel the flight, according to the PDEA.
The agency also confirmed the arrest of a man identified as alias “Fahad” at an airport in Laos in connection with alleged drug smuggling. Nerez said Fahad could face penalties, including the death penalty, if he is proven to have been involved in drug smuggling.
Authorities have not established the allegations against any specific individual or business based in Davao. The investigation remains ongoing.
Philippine authorities are continuing to coordinate with officials in Laos to obtain additional information about the suspected drug shipment.
The PDEA has not announced further findings linking the suspected Davao network to the seized drugs. The alleged role of Boyet and the circumstances surrounding Fahad’s arrest remain under investigation, and the allegations have not been proven.
The reported route was to start in Subang, Malaysia, with a stop in Luang Prabang, Laos, before the aircraft continued to the Philippines. The planned flight was canceled after the pilot declined to transport the baggage, and the charter company called off the trip, according to the agency.
