Chinese duo busted in QC for P150-M ‘shabu’

‘METH’ MARKED Wednesday’s drug haul of 30 kilos of “shabu” worth P150 million are marked as evidence in front of (from left) PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez and NCRPO head Director Joel Pagdilao. An entrapment operation by the NCRPO’s anti-narcotics unit also led to the arrest of two Chinese men in Quezon City. GRIG MONTEGRANDE

AN ENTRAPMENT operation Wednesday morning led to the arrest of two Chinese men and the seizure of 30 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” worth P150 million at a hotel parking lot in Quezon City.

A report sent to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the two men as Geng Qing Chuan, 35; and Xiangfan Yao, 28, both of Binondo, Manila.

Their arrest came a day after two Chinese-Filipinos believed to be members of the international Asia Drug Network—a narcotics gang operating in Southeast Asia—were caught with 36 kilos of shabu valued at P180 million in Valenzuela City. The drugs had allegedly been smuggled into the country from either China or Taiwan and concealed in a shipment of heavy duty turret milling machines which arrived in the country on Jan. 3.

NCRPO chief Director Joel Pagdilao told the Inquirer that they were still determining the drug connections of Chuan and Yao. The two men had been under surveillance for a month after their names were mentioned by other arrested drug suspects.

According to Pagdilao, Chuan and Yao were apprehended after Chuan handed 3 kilos of shabu to an undercover agent of the NCRPO’s anti-illegal drugs unit. The transaction was done inside the suspects’ van in the parking lot of a hotel on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Barangay Doña Imelda.

Asked what Yao’s participation in the transaction was, Chief Insp. Kimberly Molitas, NCRPO spokesperson, said he was Chuan’s partner while Pagdilao said he conspired with Chuan in selling the drugs.

A search of the back of the van later led to the discovery of  more shabu weighing 27 kilos.