PDEA looking for ”puppet masters” of illegal drug trade

June 8, 2020

The chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday said they are targeting the “puppet masters” or those persons behind the illegal drug trade in the country in the next few days.

In a press briefing, Director General Wilkins Villanueva said some ''puppet masters'' are in the country while others are outside the Philippines.

“We still have to find the real puppet master, the one who gives orders… the problem is they are not selling or transporting illegal drugs… they only call and give orders,” Villanueva said.

“Expect in the near future that we will run after them, not only the caretaker but the puppet master also… some of them are here in the Philippines while others are from outside the country,” he said.

He made the statement following their successful operation in Marilao, Bulacan were they confiscated P5.1 billion worth of illegal drugs from a Chinese who is an alleged warehouse caretaker.

As of now, the PDEA are trying to find out where the illegal drugs came from.

The PDEA chief said as long as there are masterminds in drug trade, prohibited drugs will continue to enter the country.

“There is no assurance that they cannot enter. They can enter as long as the puppet master is at large,” Villanueva said. Ella Dionisio/DMS