ABU SAYYAF NOW INTO ILLEGAL DRUGS TRADE

MALUSO, Basilan - This small coastal town in the heartland of
Islamic extremism is now a major transit point for illegal drug
shipments from the Golden Triangle, civilian and police officials have
told The Manila Times.

Aside from acting as protectors of foreign drug trafficking
syndicates, the Abu Sayyaf also controls a thriving marijuana
production post, Maluso Mayor Sakib Salajin claimed.

He said his office has compiled "substantial evidence" of drug
trafficking activities here but said no funds or personnel were
available to plug the problem.

Basilan police director, Chief Supt. Bensali Jabarani, confirmed
Salajin's assertions.

"Drugs are a major source of Abu Sayyaf funds," the police officer
said. Aside from drugs from the Golden Triangle, marijuana grown here
is exported to Zamboanga and other parts of the Mindanao mainland, he
added.

They (officials in Manila) should know that some people are already
calling this place 'Little Colombia'," Jabarani warned.

Salajin claimed local appeals for help in stopping the drug menace
have fallen on deaf ears.

"We are the second-largest municipality in Basilan yet we have no
narcotics command personnel," he pointed out. "Our intelligence
assets are focused on anti-terrorism and we cannot shift that focus.
But we know there is a direct connection between the drug trade here
and the Abu Sayyaf."

Police intelligence sources admit that the marijuana farms of Basilan
are in the remote central highlands here. Once the ASG is routed from
the area, an intensive campaign can be launched to uproot the
marijuana plantations, they noted.

The lack of manpower and logistics has limited arrests and seizures to
just a few pushers and mules, and little bags of marijuana.