DRUG TRAFFICKING

SCOPE OF PRESENTATIONS
 Objectives

 References

 Drug trafficking and salient provisions of RA 9165

 Pablo Emilio Escobar Gavira

 Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman

 Specific cases and individuals involved in Drug Trafficking

 Overall Conclusion
DESIRED LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the presentation, students are expected to:
 Understand what is drug trafficking.
 Become familiar with the provisions of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act).
 Generate information and insights on drug trafficking during the era of Pablo
Emilio Escobar Gavira “Colombian drug lord” and Joaquin “EL CHAPO”
Guzman “Mexican drug lord”.
 Gain an understanding of how drugs are smuggled and circulating in the
streets.
 Gain knowledge on the recovery of smuggled methamphetamine hydrochloride
or shabu in the Philippines.
 REFERENCES

 RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).

 Online Source “Pablo Emilio Escobar Gavira” Documentary.
 Online Source “Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman” Documentary.
 PressStatement from the National Bureau of Investigations
(Recovered Illegal Drugs).
DRUG TRAFFICKING AND SALIENT
PROVISIONS OF RA 9165
INTRODUCTION TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

Drug trafficking is the illegal trade of drugs, including but not limited to cocaine,
heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine. This criminal activity involves the production,
distribution, and sale of these drugs, often across international borders. Drug trafficking is a
serious problem that affects many countries and communities around the world, causing
significant social, economic, and health-related issues.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), drug
trafficking is a major source of revenue for organized crime groups and terrorist
organizations, generating an estimated $320 billion in profits each year. This illegal trade also
leads to the deaths of thousands of people, either through drug overdoses or violence related
to the trade.
 Drug trafficking can take many forms, including the smuggling of drugs by air, land, and sea,
as well as the use of the internet and dark web to facilitate the trade. The UNODC reports that the
majority of drug trafficking involves the transportation of drugs from one country to another, with
the drugs often being hidden in secret compartments or among legitimate cargo.

The consequences of drug trafficking are severe and far-reaching. In addition to the
health risks associated with drug use, drug trafficking can lead to corruption, violence, and
instability in communities where it is prevalent. It can also undermine the rule of law and hinder
economic development.

To combat drug trafficking, governments around the world have implemented a range of
strategies, including law enforcement efforts, education and prevention programs, and alternative
development initiatives. These efforts have had some success, but the problem of drug trafficking
remains a significant challenge.
 When studying drug trafficking, there are several significant topics that need to be
explored in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. These topics include the
history and evolution of drug trafficking, the impact on society and public health, the involvement
of organized crime and cartels, the role of law enforcement and international cooperation, the
economic aspects of drug trafficking, and the strategies for prevention and control.

History and Evolution of Drug Trafficking

Understanding the historical context of drug trafficking is crucial to comprehend its

current state. Drug trafficking has been a global issue for centuries, with various substances
being traded across different regions. The opium trade in China during the 19th century, for
example, played a significant role in shaping drug policies and international relations. The
emergence of new drugs and the evolution of trafficking methods over time also need to be
examined.
Impact on Society and Public Health

Drug trafficking has profound consequences on society and public health. The availability
and abuse of illicit drugs can lead to addiction, health problems, and social disintegration. It fuels
crime rates, contributes to violence, and undermines community well-being. Understanding these
impacts is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Involvement of Organized Crime and Cartels

Drug trafficking is often associated with organized crime groups and cartels that control
the production, transportation, and distribution networks. These criminal organizations operate
globally, exploiting vulnerabilities in legal systems and corrupting officials. Analyzing their
structures, operations, and methods provides insights into their power dynamics and enables law
enforcement agencies to disrupt their activities.
Role of Law Enforcement and International Cooperation

Combating drug trafficking requires effective law enforcement efforts at both national and
international levels. Cooperation among law enforcement agencies from different countries is
crucial for intelligence sharing, joint operations, extradition processes, and dismantling
transnational criminal networks. Understanding the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies
helps identify areas for improvement in combating drug trafficking.

Economic Aspects of Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a highly profitable illicit business, generating billions of dollars

annually. Analyzing the economic aspects of drug trafficking involves studying the financial flows,
money laundering techniques, and the impact on local economies. This knowledge can inform
policies aimed at disrupting the financial networks of drug traffickers.
Strategies for Prevention and Control

Studying drug trafficking also involves exploring strategies for prevention and
control. This includes demand reduction efforts such as education, treatment
programs, and harm reduction approaches. Supply reduction strategies focus on
disrupting the production and distribution networks through law enforcement measures,
international cooperation, and alternative development programs in drug-producing
regions.
Types of Drug Trafficking

There are several types of drug trafficking, including:

1. International drug trafficking: This involves the transportation of drugs across

international borders, often by organized criminal groups.

2. Domestic drug trafficking: This involves the sale and distribution of drugs within a
country, often by local criminal organizations.

3. Online drug trafficking: This involves the sale and distribution of drugs over the
internet, often through dark web marketplaces.
How to address drug trafficking

Addressing drug trafficking requires a comprehensive approach that includes

law enforcement, education, and social support. Some strategies for addressing drug
trafficking include:

1. Law enforcement: Strengthening law enforcement efforts, including the use of

intelligence and undercover operations, can help disrupt drug trafficking
organizations and reduce the supply of drugs.

2. Education: Educating young people about the dangers of drug use and providing
them with alternatives to drug use can help prevent drug addiction and reduce
demand for drugs.
3. Social support: Providing support for individuals struggling with drug addiction,
including counseling and medical treatment, can help them overcome addiction and
reintegrate into society.

4. Community engagement: Engaging with communities and involving them in the

fight against drug trafficking can help build trust and reduce the appeal of drug
trafficking.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165

AN ACT INSTITUTING THE “COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT

OF 2002”, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the
"Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to safeguard the

integrity of its territory and the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from
the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being, and
to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their development and
preservation. In view of the foregoing, the State needs to enhance further the efficacy
of the law against dangerous drugs, it being one of today's more serious social ills.
 Toward this end, the government shall pursue an intensive and unrelenting
campaign against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar
substances through an integrated system of planning, implementation and
enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies, programs, and projects. The government
shall however aim to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that
people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with
adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous
drugs.

It is further declared the policy of the State to provide effective mechanisms or

measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse
or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and
rehabilitation.
First drug encountered in the
Philippines

Opium

- was the narcotic drug that first enslaved a few

inhabitants and Chinese migrants in the Philippines. Previous
to 1521, its use in the Archipelago must have been absent. The
native practices that were closest to addiction were betel
chewing and the use of alcoholic intoxicants.
Types of Drugs
Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive drug made from morphine. It

can be injected, snorted, or smoked.

Cocaine

Cocaine base (crack) looks like small, irregularly shaped

white rocks. Cocaine is an intense, euphoria-producing
stimulant drug with strong addictive potential.
Cannabis

Cannabis also known as Marijuana is commonly used as a

recreational drug. People also commonly use cannabis for
multiple sclerosis (MS) and nerve pain. It is also used for
nausea, vomiting, migraine, and many other conditions, but
there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Ecstasy
Ecstasy and related drugs are amphetamine derivatives
that also have some of the pharmacological properties of
mescaline. They have become popular with participants in
"raves," because they enhance energy, endurance,
sociability and sexual arousal.
Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a potent central nervous system

stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and
less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity.
Pablo Escobar
THE KING OF COCAINE
Who Was Pablo Escobar?
 Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria also known as Pablo Escobar, Colombian drug trafficker who
collaborated with other criminals to form the Medellín cartel in the early 1970s. Eventually, he
controlled over 80 percent of the cocaine shipped to the United States, earning the nickname
The King of Cocaine. Born on December 1, 1949 at Rionegro, Columbia.

 Escobar started a family with his marriage to Maria Victoria Henao, who was 11 years his junior
and still a teenager at the time of their 1976 wedding. They went on to have two children.

 Reportedly began his life of crime early, stealing tombstones and selling phony diplomas. It
wasn’t long before he started stealing cars, then moving into the smuggling business.
 In 1978, Escobar spent millions to purchase 20 square kilometers of land in Antioquia,
Colombia, where he built his luxury estates called Hacienda Nápoles.

 In some ways, he positioned himself as a Robin Hood–like figure, a description was

echoed by many locals, by spending money to expand social programs for the poor. He spent
millions to develop Medellín’s poor neighborhoods, where its residents felt he helped them far
more than the government ever had. He built roads, electric lines, soccer fields, roller-skating
rinks, and more, and paid the workers in his cocaine labs enough money that they could afford
houses and cars.

 Escobar’s well-known ruthlessness. He handled problems with “plata o plomo,”

meaning “silver” (bribes) or “lead” (bullets).
Escobar in Politics

 His youthful ambition to become the nation’s president, Escobar entered

politics and supported the formation of the Liberal Party of Colombia. In 1982,
he was elected as an alternate member of Colombia’s Congress, but Minister of
Justice Rodrigo Lara-Bonilla investigated him and highlighted the illegal means
by which he had obtained his wealth, forcing Escobar to resign two years after
his election.
The Medellin Cartel

Beginning in the early 1970s, the country became a prime smuggling ground for
marijuana. But as the cocaine market flourished. Situated at the northern tip of South America
between the thriving coca cultivation epicenters of Peru and Bolivia, the country came to
dominate the global cocaine trade with the United States, the biggest market for the drug and just
a short trip to the north. Under Escobar’s leadership, large amounts of coca paste were purchased
in Bolivia and Peru then processed and transported to America. Escobar worked with a small
group to form the infamous Medellín cartel.

As the demand for cocaine grew in the United States, Escobar established additional
smuggling shipments and distribution networks in various locations. That included establishing a
shipment base on a private island in the Bahamas with the help of cartel co founder Carlos
Lehder.
 Due to the organization's upper echelons and overall power-structure being built
on a partnership between multiple Colombian traffickers operating alongside Escobar.
Included were Jorge luis Chavez, Fabio Ochoa Vasquez Juan David Ochoa
Vasquez, Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha and Carlos Lehder. His cousin Gustavo
Gaviria who handled much of the cartel's shipping arrangements and the more general
and detailed logistical aspects of the cocaine trafficking routes and international
smuggling networks.

The basic structure of a drug cartel is as follows:

Falcons: Considered as the "eyes and ears" of the streets, lowest rank in any
drug cartel. Responsible for conducting reconnaissance, such as reporting the activities
of the police, the military and rival groups.
 Hitmen: The armed group within the drug cartel, responsible for carrying out
assassinations, kidnappings, thefts and extortions, operating protection rackets, as well
as defending their turf from rival groups and the military.

Lieutenants: The second highest position in the drug cartel organization,

responsible for supervising the hitmen and falcons within their own territory. They are
allowed to carry out low-profile murders without permission from their bosses.

Drug lords: The highest position in any drug cartel, responsible for supervising
the entire drug industry, appointing territorial leaders, making alliances, in addition to
planning high-profile murders.
Power and Terror Campaign
 Escobar was responsible for the killing of thousands of people, including politicians,
civil servants, journalists, and ordinary citizens. When he realized that he had no shot of
becoming Colombia’s president, and with the United States pushing for his capture and
extradition, Escobar unleashed his fury on his enemies in the hopes of influencing Colombian
politics.

 Claimed the lives of three Colombian presidential candidates, an attorney general,

scores of judges, and more than 1,000 police officers. In addition, Escobar was implicated as the
mastermind behind the bombing of a Colombian jetliner. In November 1989, Escobar arranged
for a bomb to be planted on Avianca Flight 203, a domestic passenger flight, as part of an
assassination attempt against one of his political enemies, presidential candidate César Gaviria
Trujillo. He missed the flight and avoided injury, but the bomb detonated and killed all 107
people on board.
Prison Life and how manage to escaped
from authorities
 In June 1991, Escobar negotiated a surrendered to Gaviria’s government in exchange for a reduced
sentence and preferential treatment during his captivity. A law at the time prevented his extradition to
the United States.
 Escobar built his own luxury prison called La Cathedral, which was guarded by men he handpicked
from among his employees. The prison came with a casino, spa, nightclub, football field, jacuzzi,
waterfall, and giant doll house.
 In June 1992, however, Escobar escaped when authorities attempted to move him to a more standard
holding facility.
 In 22 July 1992, after serving one year and one month, Escobar again went on the run. With
the Colombian Nat’l Army surrounding La Catedral's facility, Escobar fled through an escape route that
he had built into the facility during its construction. A section of the wall had been mortared with weak
concrete that could be easily kicked open, allowing Escobar to walk out. A manhunt for the drug lord,
with help from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, was launched that would last 16 months.
Fall of Medellin Cartel
 The monopoly of the Medellín cartel, which had begun to crumble during Escobar’s
imprisonment as police raided offices and killed its leaders, rapidly deteriorated.

 On December 1, 1993, Escobar celebrated his 44th birthday, allegedly enjoying cake, wine, and
marijuana. The next day his hideout in Medellín was discovered.

 Escobar and a bodyguard was shot and killed while trying to escape from the roof. He was hit by
bullets in the torso and feet, and a bullet which struck him in the head, killing him.

 Escobar’s death accelerated the demise of the Medellín cartel and Colombia’s central role in the
cocaine trade.
Joaquin “El
Chapo”
Guzman
 The Sinaloa Cartel
(Spanish: Cártel de Sinaloa, CDS, after the
native Sinaola region)

 The United States Intelligence Community generally

considers it to be the largest and most powerful drug
trafficking organization in the world.

 primarily involved in the distribution of cocaine, heroin,

methamphetamine, fentanyl, cannabis and MDMA.

 Sinaloa’s annual revenue was estimated to be as high as $3

billion in 2012.
Operation
 The Sinaloa cartel controls
wide swaths of Mexico’s key
drug-trafficking regions,
particularly its northern border
and Pacific coast.

 The cartel is allegedly

responsible for waves of
murders, kidnappings and
assassinations.
SINALOA CARTEL PRESENCE IN 2020
ACCORDING TO MEXICAN
SECRETARIAT OF FINANCE AND
PUBLIC CREDIT
 Tunnel
SINALOA CARTEL UTILIZED Entrance
ITS CROSS-BORDER
"NARCOTÚNEL" TO SMUGGLE MEXICO
ILLICIT MATERIALS.
Border Fence

UNITED
STATES

V & F Distributors
(Tunnel Exit)
BORN: JOACQUIN ARCHIVALDO
GUZMAN LOERA
4 APRIL 1957 (AGE 66)
SINALOA, MEXICO

OTHER NAMES: “EL CHAPO” (SHORTY)

“EL RAPIDO” (SPEEDY)

OCCUPATION: LEADER OF SINALOA CARTEL

CAPTURE: 1ST CAPTURE: 9 JUNE 1993

2nd capture: 22 February 2014
3RD CAPTURE: 8 JANUARY 2016

ESCAPE: 1ST ESCAPE: 19 JANUARY 2001

2ND ESCAPE: 11 JULY 2015
 In 1993, he was captured and
transferred to Mexican
maximum-security prison
Puente Grande.

 January 2001, Guzmán made

his first jailbreak, escaping
from Puente Grande by hiding
in a laundry cart.
-ON 25 FEBRUARY 2009, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE
ARREST OF 750 MEMBERS OF THE SINALOA CARTEL ACROSS THE
U.S. IN OPERATION XCELLERATOR.
-THEY ALSO ANNOUNCED THE SEIZURE OF MORE THAN $59 MILLION
IN CASH AND NUMEROUS VEHICLES, PLANES, AND BOATS.
Guzmán's escape triggered a 13-year
manhunt until February
2014, when authorities started closing in on
Guzmán's inner circle and recaptured him.
On the night of July 11, 2015, the
"master of tunnels" once again proved he
deserved the title.
• JAN. 8, 2016 - MEXICAN DRUG LORD "EL CHAPO" WAS
REARRESTED IN MEXICO.

• WEAPONRIES AND EQUIPMENT'S RECOVERED DURING THE

OPERATION TO CAPTURE SINALOA CARTEL LEADER.
AFTER THE ARREST OF JOAQUÍN "EL
CHAPO" GUZMÁN AND HIS SON OVIDIO
GUZMÁN LÓPEZ, THE CARTEL IS NOW
HEADED BY OLD-SCHOOL LEADER ISMAEL
ZAMBADA GARCÍA (AKA EL MAYO) AND
GUZMÁN'S OTHER SONS, JESÚS ALFREDO
GUZMÁN AND IVAN ARCHIVALDO GUZMÁN
SALAZAR.

AS OF 2023, THE SINALOA CARTEL REMAINS

MEXICO'S MOST DOMINANT DRUG CARTEL.
Specific cases and individuals involved in
Drug Trafficking
 PICTURES OF SMUGGLED/RECOVERED ILLEGAL DRUGS

On March 15, 2022, P11 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) was seized
in Barangay Comon, Infanta, Quezon Province.
 PICTURES OF SMUGGLED/RECOVERED ILLEGAL DRUGS

On 27 September 2023, P3.6-B worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu was

seized in a warehouse at gate 1 Empire 999 Realty Corporation, Purok 5, Brgy San Jose Marcelino,
Mexico, Pampanga.
Who is Frank Chua?
Background
 Frank Chua was first arrested in 1989, together with
other subjects, for smuggling of 58 kilograms of
shabu in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

 Chua together with other subjects escaped from the

Vigan Provincial Jail in March 1990.

 On July 4, 2003, Chua was re-arrested by the NBI at

Subic Bay Freeport Zone and turned over to New
Bilibid Prison. In 2004, Chua escaped from the NBP.

 On 28 July 2022, Chua was then recaptured by the

NBI in Sampaloc, Manila, and was sent back to the
Bilibid.
Overall Conclusion
 Drug trafficking is a serious global issue that involves the illegal production, distribution, and
sale of controlled substances, such as narcotics and illegal drugs.

 The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, also known as Republic Act No. 9165, is
the primary legislation that governs the control and regulation of dangerous drugs. It defines
various drug-related offenses and prescribes penalties for drug traffickers and users.

 Specific cases and individuals:

a. Pablo Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín
Cartel.
b. Joaquin Guzman, also known as "El Chapo," is a Mexican drug lord who was a key
figure in the Sinaloa Cartel.
 The Government has an ongoing issue with the illegal drug trade, including the smuggling of
methamphetamine hydrochloride (commonly known as "shabu"). Law enforcement agencies
have been actively involved in operations to combat drug trafficking, leading to arrests and the
seizure of illicit drugs.

 Hence, the government has taken a strong stance against drug-related crimes and has
implemented various initiatives to address the issue.
Are there any
Questions?
End of Presentation

“Stay positive in life,

STAY NEGATIVE FROM DRUGS.”