Two Indian nationals and a Filipino woman were arrested during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Paco, Manila in the Philippines.
According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the suspects were identified as Kumar Sunil Motumal, Chutani Rakhi Darbala and Mary Chris Mabini. The three were allegedly caught in Manila selling medicines that contained opium and morphine, as well as rabies vaccine, GMA News reported.
The NBI said it had received a report that a store in the area was selling illegal drugs in packaging intended only for sale in India. After the arrests of several Indian nationals in August of last year, the illegal drugs trade reportedly continued by using mobile phones.
On January 31, NBI officials conducted an entrapment operation during which they managed to obtain two boxes of the alleged drugs. Laboratory tests showed that the items contained opium and morphine.
NBI Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo said the three suspects failed to present a license or certification from the Food and Drug Administration for the vaccines.
The three suspects face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.