Bank records allegedly linked to drug syndicates sent to DOJ

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has  turned over to the Department of Justice (DOJ) bank transaction records suspected to be linked to drug syndicates operating inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Thursday.

Aguirre met with AMLC officials at the DOJ where the documents have been submitted.

However, he said the documents are still limited.

“We will make another request [for assistance],” Aguirre said.

He added that they believe the amount involved could reach up to a billion although he admitted that they do not expect the name of Senator Leila De Lima to appear in any of the bank transactions.

The DOJ has more than 30 witnesses on the proliferation of drugs inside the prison.

The justice chief said they are working to have more witnesses in the House of Representatives inquiry on the illegal drug trade next week.

“We continue to gather testimonies and documents to establish the fact that Senator De Lima is involved in the illegal drugs trade inside the NBP,” Aguirre said. RAM/rga

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