Chinoy trader yields P70-M ‘shabu’

A 62-year-old Chinese-Filipino businessman faces a lifetime behind bars after he yielded P70 million worth of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.”

Antonio Uy, a resident of Cavite City who is believed to be a member of a big-time drug group operating in Metro Manila, was arrested on Wednesday after he was cornered on Roxas Boulevard, Manila, by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from whom he tried to escape following a buy-bust operation.

The operation was led by a PDEA agent who goes by the code name of “Bombay” who said he contacted Uy through a confidential agent. He added that he introduced himself as a buyer to Uy who at that time had been under surveillance for a month.

“I pretended to be an Indian money lender who wanted to sell shabu on the side,” Bombay told the Inquirer.

The two finally agreed to meet on Wednesday after exchanging text messages for nearly one month. “It was an exchange for one kilo [of shabu] worth P1 million,” the PDEA agent said.

At the agreed upon time and place, Uy showed up in a Toyota Camry but he drove away when he sensed the presence of the PDEA team.

“It was supposed to be a quick exchange because we had already agreed on the sale. But he caught on to us and he drove away instead of stopping,” the PDEA agent said.

A brief chase ensued and Uy was cornered on Rajah Solaiman Street. A man on a motorcycle who was obviously his backup sped away after the Chinese-Filipino trader was arrested.

A check of Uy’s car led to the discovery of 15 kilos of shabu hidden in a black suitcase.

“We did not expect him to be carrying this huge amount of illegal drugs because there were many policemen and other law enforcers in the area,” Bombay said.

The value of the seized drugs was placed at around P70 million. “The crystals were unpolished but of high-grade quality,” he added.

Uy was brought to the Manila Police District Station 5 for proper inventory of the seized illegal drugs.

According to Bombay, Uy belongs to a large group of drug dealers operating in Metro Manila.

“One of the modus operandi of drug syndicates is singular operation in which a lone dealer is involved; in that way it’s harder for anti-illegal drugs agents to spot them,” he added.