Canadian linked to shabu bust in Alitagtag, Batangas nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — A Canadian national believed to be involved in the delivery of the 1.4-ton shabu that was apprehended in a Batangas town has been arrested in Tagaytay City, Cavite.

A letter from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to the inquest prosecutor dated May 17 showed that a certain Thomas Gordon O’ Quinn, who also goes by James Toby Martin, was arrested for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

O’Quinn was said to be arrested Thursday night in a spa in Tagaytay.

“On the given DTPO, arresting officers were among the team that implemented the mission order issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation in relation to the Interpol Red Notice with file number 2018/29998 that led to the arrest of the above-mentioned suspect,” the letter said.

“In view thereof, this case is presented for inquest,” it added

The NCRPO, in a separate statement, confirmed O’Quinn’s arrest, saying that the operation in Tagaytay is directly-linked to the drug bust in Alitagtag, Batangas last April 15.

Several illegal drugs were reportedly seized from O’Quinn by the operatives who conducted the operation.

“The operation was conducted on May 16, 2024, at the Nurture Spa and Wellness in Brgy Maitim II, Tagaytay City, by a joint team comprising officers from the Regional Intelligence Division of the NCRPO, PRO4A, the Tagaytay City Police Station, and supported by the Fugitive Search Unit of the Bureau of Immigration,” NCRPO said.

“The evidence collected during his arrest includes multiple types of narcotics, sophisticated electronic devices, and numerous identification documents under various aliases, indicating his efforts to elude detection. This arrest is directly connected to the recent seizure of 1.4 tons of illicit drugs in Batangas, highlighting O’Quinn’s significant role within these extensive criminal networks,” it added.

Initial reports from April 15 stated that around two tons of shabu or crystal meth were found loaded into a passenger van, which was flagged down during a checkpoint at Alitagtag’s Barangay Pinagkurusan.  Investigators said the Parañaque City-bound vehicle came from Sta. Teresita town and was heading to Lipa City when its driver was asked to pull over.

READ: P13-B ‘shabu’ seized by cops in Batangas checkpoint

However, the PNP later clarified that the actual weight and value was 1.4 tons and P9.68 billion.

The van driver who was arrested during the incident was eventually revealed to be a former US Army soldier, a 47-year-old Quezon City native who left the Philippines and migrated to the United States when he was eight years old.

READ: ‘Biggest’ drug haul shrinks in final PNP inventory

During his inspection of the scene of the operation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touted the police’s achievements, saying that having a drug war without resorting to violent means is possible as no one died despite the huge amount of shabu seized by police officers.