Illegal drug trade in the Philippines
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 marijuana and methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu". Ephedrine and methylenedioxy methamphetamine are also among the list of illegal drugs that are of great concern to the authorities.
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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.
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.
Methamphetamine remains more feasible to sell in the Philippines than cocaine, a more costly illegal drug.
Transnational drug trade
International drug syndicates use the Philippines as a transit hub for the illegal drug trade. 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. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has been identified as a favorable illegal drug trafficking hub.
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.
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.
On December 2013, The Philippine National Police - Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force confirmed reports that the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel had started operations in the country.
Trade value
As of 2013, the illegal drug trade in the Philippines amounted to $8.4 billion .
