Recruiter of the convicted overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso has admitted to authorities yesterday links to the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS) operating in the Philippines, Hongkong, and other Southeast Asian nations.
According to the source from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), one of the recruiters of Veloso has given the statement to the Philippine National Police (PNP) about the connection with the WADS and was later forwarded to the NBI.
Earlier, Justcie Secretary Leila de Lima stated that the recruiter was once a drug courier rising from the ranks in the international drug syndicate.
This affirms to the source’s information that Veloso’s recruiters are now well known in the international drug trade, one of them was even named as “Supremo” in the underworld drug community.
“It was also learned that the recruiters participated in the growing drug trade, and that their modus operandi was to recruit willing and/or unwilling participants in their activities,” the unimpeachable source, who requested anonymity, told the Manila Bulletin.
“What makes matters worse is that the recruiters are persistent in their recruitment activities, and there is evidence that such modus operandi has continued up to the present time,” the source added.
Through their investigation, the NBI Anti-Human Trafficking Division has looked through the travel records of the recruiter showing frequent visits to Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore from 2009 to 2011.
This validate the source’s statement that the recruiters started working as drug couriers in 2010 for a WADS cell in Malaysia.
“During these trips, the suspects were able to gain connections and contacts and due to their successful delivery of the contrabands, they were able to rise from their ranks as a drug mule to drug recruiters,” the source said.
De Lima said the mutual legal assistance request aims to seek Veloso to testify against her recruiters.
H/T: Manila Bulletin
