Mexican drug cartel member’s conviction ‘positive development’

“This Administration believes that any circumstance that diminishes the tentacles of the illegal drug industry is helpful to our country’s war against prohibited narcotics,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the conviction of a Mexican drug cartel member calling it a “positive development” in the country’s battle against illegal drugs.

“This Administration believes that any circumstance that diminishes the tentacles of the illegal drug industry is helpful to our country’s war against prohibited narcotics,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted Mexican Horacio Hernandez Herrera for selling 2.5 kg. of cocaine to undercover operatives four years ago.

Makati RTC Branch 63 Judge Selma Palacio Alaras found Herrera, who is allegedly linked to the Sinaloa drug cartel, guilty beyond reasonable doubt in violation of Section 5, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Alaras sentenced Herrera to life imprisonment and ordered him to pay a fine of PHP500,000 to PHP10 million.

Panelo said Herrera is proof that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s claim that the Sinaloa drug cartel has entered the Philippines is true contrary to doubts raised by the opposition and critics of the administration’s drug war.

“The conviction of Mr. Herrera therefore serves as a repudiation of the sentiments of these detractors,” he said.

Panelo said Herrera’s conviction should serve as a warning to international drug syndicates trying to bring illegal drugs to the country.

“We will never allow our country to be flooded with prohibited drugs by the merchants of death and destruction,” Panelo said.

“The President and this Administration will not rest until the last drug apparatus is destroyed and the last drug pusher is sent to jail,” he added.