Chinese duo, Filipino contact fall in P12M ‘shabu’ bust

Two suspected Chinese drug dealers and their alleged Filipino accomplice were arrested on Thursday in San Juan City in an undercover operation that yielded two kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” with an estimated street value of P12 million.

The Filipino was apprehended by chance when he showed up at the meeting that an antinarcotics agent had arranged with the Chinese suspects around noon on Club Filipino Street in Greenhills.

In a press briefing, National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina identified the Filipino suspect as Brian Legru Chua, 29, of Mabalacat, Pampanga province; and the Chinese nationals as Wang Yong Gui, 30; and Dong Jin Chen, 29.

Senior Insp. Virgilio Santiago, head of the Eastern Police District’s anti-illegal drugs unit, said that shortly before the poseur buyer met with the Chinese, his backup surveillance team saw Chua receiving a package from the two foreigners.

Chua was still present when the undercover agent joined in to make his purchase. After the Chinese took marked money from the agent, the rest of the police team moved in for the arrest.

Chua was caught in possession of a kilo of shabu, while another kilo was found in the Subaru (XKV-819) used by the Chinese.

Santiago said Chua arrived at the scene together with his live-in partner, Juveline Mista, 25, who stayed inside his Honda CRV during the transaction. The woman was not arrested but she remained under investigation, the officer said.

During questioning, Chua claimed he was only following orders from the Chinese to take the drugs to Angeles City, police said.