3 Chinese yield shabu ‘worth’ P3.4M in Angeles City; link to POGO probed

Authorities seized these pieces of evidence from the three Chinese suspects. | PHOTO COURTESY OF PDEA-CENTRAL LUZON

ANGELES CITY — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pampanga office on Tuesday arrested three Chinese nationals after they reportedly sold some 500 grams of “shabu” (crystal meth) to an undercover agent inside a subdivision in this city.

In a statement, the PDEA-Central Luzon said the confiscated shabu is worth P3,400,000.

It identified the suspects as Liao Hong Tao, 31; Li Guo, 37; and Wan Li, 41.

The anti-illegal drugs agency said the buy-bust operation at 3:15 a.m. took place at Timog Park Subdivision situated within Pampang and Amsic villages in this city.

It said the three suspects had been staying in the Philippines for about a year now.

PDEA operatives also impounded the sports utility vehicles used by the suspects and seized three mobile phones from them. Rhey also recovered the marked peso bills used in the transaction.

“Aside from 500 grams of shabu, assorted units of cellphones (believed to be) used in POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) operation were also recovered.

The suspects were also involved in the distribution of drugs to POGO workers,” PDEA-Central Luzon quoted the operation team leader as saying.

It said charges for possession and sale of illegal drugs in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the three Chinese men. INQ