By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo yesterday pointed out the smuggling of illegal drugs in Negros Occidental was due to lax security at the Dumaguete City Port in Negros Oriental.

Gustilo was in Bacolod City yesterday morning along with other Negros Occidental mayors to meet with presidential and vice presidential candidates.

According to the San Carlos City mayor, based on information given to him by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) the majority of the illegal drugs coming into Negros Occidental originated from Mindanao, and then smuggled in via the Dumaguete City Port.

He said inspections of everything coming into Dumaguete City are not being carried out.

The illegal drugs are then transported into San Carlos City where it is then divided up among drug groups, repackaged, and distributed to other areas particularly in Central Visayas, the mayor said.

Gustilo added that the illegal drugs are being smuggled out of the city via motor boats since the city’s coastline is vast.

“The problem with San Carlos City is may port kita [and] lapit kita sa boundary sang Region 7,” hesaid.

In order to further combat illegal drugs in the city, Gustilo said he has already introduced a reward system for operatives of the San Carlos City Police Station whenever they successfully intercept and arrest those involved in illegal drugs./DGB, WDJ