DDB ASKS CONGRESS FOR BETTER LAWS AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS

The Dangerous Drugs Board on Sunday asked Congress to come up with new laws
to combat the illegal drug scourge.

"Warehouse owners should be required to disclose the identities of the
persons who lease their facilities," said Executive Director Jose Calida of
the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Calida said this would prevent drug traffickers from using the warehouses
for illegal purposes.

"Landlords should require their lessees to present valid identification
documents as well as business permits, licenses and similar business
documents before a contract of lease is executed," he said.

Calida made the proposal after several law-enforcement agencies found that
many drug syndicates were using warehouses in Metro Manila as fronts to hide
their illegal activities.

He said warehouse owners could be tapped to help police check their
warehouses, because they can do so anytime while police must have a search
warrant to do so.

"Any suspicious transactions happening inside the building must come to the
knowledge of the owner who can also supply authorities the information to
gather their own evidence," Calida added.

He also called for the amendment of the Anti-Wiretapping Act. He said drug
trafficking should be taken as one of the grounds for electronic
eavesdropping.

"Wiretapping may be the only way to reach them, since these drug lords don't
go directly to their laboratories," Calida said.

When asked if such amendment would sail smoothly in Congress, he said
lawmakers should put into consideration their proposal to provide law
enforcers the "proper tools" against illegal drugs.

"Sedition and rebellion are legal grounds for wiretapping. I don't see why
illegal drugs should not be included among those grounds," Calida said.