Cops nab Canadian tagged in P9.7 B drug bust in Batangas

The bundles of illegal drugs seized in Batangas. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Lawmen have arrested a Canadian linked to the alleged smuggling of 1.4 tons of crystal meth, valued at P9.68 billion, that was intercepted at a checkpoint in Batangas province on April 15.

The Philippine National Police announced on Friday the arrest of Thomas Gordon O’Quinn, also known as James Toby Martin, at the Pag-ibig Unit, Nurture Spa and Wellness, Barangay Maitim II in Tagaytay City at around 9 p.m. on Thursday.

According to the PNP, O’Quinn was implicated by fellow Canadian, Amazon Michael Zarate, the driver of the van that was carrying the intercepted contraband at a check point, who was also arrested in Alitagtag, Batangas, on April 15.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), O’Quinn is also the subject of a Red Notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for conspiracy to possess, export and distribute illegal substances into the United States.

During his arrest, several plastic sachets of what are believed to be “shabu” and cocaine were confiscated as well and 14 identification cards, which the authorities suspect are what he uses to evade arrest.

The names found in the IDs were Robert Wagner, Steve Wilson, Ryan Brooke, Steve McDonald, Jay Macallan and James Toby Martin.

Also seized from him were P3,600 worth of cash, four bank cards, seven mobile phones and 14 SIM cards.

He was arrested by members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Police Regional Office Calabarzon and the BI fugitive search unit and brought to the NCRPO office in Taguig.

Authorities were able to establish O’Quinn’s whereabouts through several intelligence operations that started when reports hinted of the possible involvement of a foreign national in the attempted smuggling in Alitagtag, which was eventually intercepted.