Recent anti-drug operations revealed that hotels are being used as choice venues to consume, sell and deliver dangerous drugs, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
PDEA Director General Aaron N Aquino said this following a string of buy-bust operations and implementation of search warrants where suspected pushers and users were caught red-handed selling and using methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and ecstasy, respectively, inside plush hotel rooms in Metro Manila.
“Illegal drug transactions are actually happening inside hotel rooms because illegal drugs can be exchanged discreetly. Also, organized parties spiked with drugs take place inside these establishments because detection risk is less,” Aquino said.
PDEA has received similar reports that some drug pushers were billeted inside hotels to conduct their illegal trade, believing that no law enforcement authorities will try to arrest them where a ban on carrying firearms is strictly enforced.
“This should be an eye opener for all security agencies that are handling hotels and similar establishments. Utmost vigilance should always be observed. Hotel management should tighten measures to detect illegal drugs and gun searches without compromising our operations and, most importantly, the safety of the hotel guests,” the PDEA chief said.
