Manila, Oct. 23 -- The seizure of 521 kilograms of suspected shabu in Laos points to a distribution network operating inside the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) told the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Thursday.

NBI Dangerous Drugs Division chief Ross Jonathan Galicia said the volume of the shipment and the use of a private aircraft showed the resources needed to move the drugs and deliver them to their intended market.

"It would take a number of people to move these illegal drugs," Galicia told the committee chaired by Las Pinas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos. "There is a local crime group that is operating within the country."

Galicia said investigators must look beyond the drugs intercepted at Luang Prabang I...