American wanted for drug trafficking arrested in Albay

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a 51-year-old American national, Henry Watkins, also known as "Tutu," for allegedly overstaying and being wanted in the US for drug trafficking.

US authorities requested the BI's assistance in apprehending Watkins, who is wanted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for alleged involvement with the Sinaloa drug cartel.

A US District Court in Northern Iowa issued an arrest warrant for Watkins on February 26, charging him with the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin.

Authorities also stated that Watkins acted as an enforcer for the Devil's Disciples motorcycle gang in Chicago, Illinois, and used violence to collect drug proceeds.

Watkins was arrested at his residence in Polangui, Albay, on March 18.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that Watkins will be deported for overstaying and being an undesirable alien, emphasizing that the Philippines will not be a sanctuary for foreign nationals involved in illegal drugs.

In a separate operation, the BI also arrested an overstaying Egyptian national, Bakhit Akram Mnayer Gouda, in Naga City on March 19 for charges including direct assault and oral defamation.