Crystal Meth and Cartels in the Philippines: The Shabu Trap

Summary

The Philippines grapples with a $8.4 billion drug trade, where shabu, or crystal meth, is the most abused substance. Driven by long work hours and limited opportunities, shabu's popularity is further fueled by its affordability. Law enforcement faces significant challenges, including corruption within the justice system and the influence of powerful drug cartels, such as Mexico's Sinaloa. The drug's pervasiveness has led to widespread addiction and violence, with local gangs competing fiercely for control over the trade.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Around 1.7 million Filipinos use drugs, with shabu (methamphetamine) being the most popular substance.
• 💰 The drug trade in the Philippines is estimated to be worth $8.4 billion, with shabu dominating the market for over 20 years.
• 👷 Shabu's popularity is largely due to its affordability and its use as a stimulant to cope with long work hours and a lack of opportunities.
• 🇨🇳 The Philippine drug trade has been historically controlled by Chinese traffickers, but now Mexican cartels, like the Sinaloa cartel, are increasingly involved.
• ⚖️ Law enforcement in the Philippines faces significant challenges due to corruption, with drug traffickers having the resources to bribe police, judiciary, and prosecutors.
• 🏘️ In Manila, around 92% of neighborhoods (barangays) are affected by the widespread use and distribution of shabu.
• 👥 Many drug users turn to dealing shabu to fund their addiction, as evidenced by the accounts of long-term users and local dealers.
• 🔫 Drug-related violence is rampant, with gangs heavily armed and willing to kill to protect their territory in the shabu trade.
• 🛳️ The Mexican Sinaloa cartel works with Chinese syndicates to smuggle shabu into the Philippines, utilizing corrupt customs and the country's vast shoreline for drug trafficking.
• 🗳️ Corruption extends to government officials, with drug money being used to fund political campaigns, complicating efforts to tackle the drug trade.

Q & A

What is the most commonly abused drug in the Philippines?

The most commonly abused drug in the Philippines is 'shabu,' which is the local name for methamphetamine or crystal meth.

Why is shabu so popular among Filipinos?

Shabu is popular because it is cheap, widely available, and acts as a stimulant, which helps people work longer hours. This is particularly attractive to individuals facing grueling work hours and a lack of economic opportunities.

How large is the drug trade in the Philippines, according to the transcript?

The drug trade in the Philippines is estimated to be worth $8.4 billion, with shabu dominating the market for over 20 years.

Who traditionally controls the drug trade in the Philippines, and how has this changed recently?

Traditionally, the drug trade has been controlled by Chinese drug traffickers. However, recently, the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel has been gaining influence, as seen with the arrest of Horacio Hernandes Herrera, a high-ranking cartel member.

What challenges do law enforcement agencies face in tackling drug trafficking in the Philippines?

The main challenges include the significant financial resources of drug traffickers, which enable them to bribe law enforcement, judicial officials, and prosecutors. Corruption at various levels of the criminal justice system is a major obstacle.

What role does the community play in helping law enforcement combat drug trafficking?

The community often helps law enforcement by providing information on specific neighborhoods and locations where drug activities are rampant, aiding in pinpointing areas that require police attention.

What factors contribute to the widespread use of shabu in poorer neighborhoods?

Shabu's affordability and accessibility, coupled with the lack of strict punishments, make it popular in poorer neighborhoods. Open abuse has become the norm in many impoverished areas of Manila.

How are foreign cartels, like the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, involved in the Philippines' drug trade?

Foreign cartels, such as the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, work with local Chinese syndicates primarily in the distribution of finished methamphetamine. The Sinaloa Cartel supplies finished meth to the Chinese, who then handle its import and local distribution.

How are drugs smuggled into the Philippines?

Drugs are smuggled through customs and dropped from the open sea along the Philippines' vast shoreline, where they are picked up by local collaborators of the syndicates.

What impact does corruption have on the drug problem in the Philippines?

Corruption is pervasive at every level, from law enforcement to political officials. Drug money is often used to fund political campaigns, and corruption within the police and government makes it much harder to tackle the drug problem effectively.