Woman tagged as partner of ‘high value’ drug target nabbed in buy-bust operation

A CHINESE-FILIPINO woman believed to be the partner of a convicted drug dealer currently behind bars was arrested on Sunday in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City.

Jennifer Hong—described as a “midlevel player” in the drug trade—was caught by operatives of the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) anti-illegal drugs unit and the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group around 2 a.m. on Aguho corner Almaciga Streets in Project 3, Barangay Claro.

A narcotics agent posed as a buyer of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and arranged a meeting with the 30-year-old suspect, leading to her arrest after the transaction was completed.

QCPD District Anti-Illegal Drugs (DAID) chief Supt. Godofredo Tul-o said that Hong yielded around 500 grams of shabu estimated at around P1.2 million, two cell phones and the fake money paid to her by the police agent.

High value target’s cohort

Based on police records, Hong had been under close surveillance for months since her partner, Jason Kua, was considered a high value target of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group Case Operational Plan. Kua has been detained for three years at the Quezon City Annex Jail in Bicutan, Taguig City, for dealing in illegal drugs.

Police intelligence reports said that an investigation was underway on illegal drug activities in Bicutan and the alleged involvement of both Hong and Kua in the drug trade inside the prison.

At press time, Hong remained in the custody of the PNP DAID at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal.

QCPD chief Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said the arrest of “a midlevel player in illegal drugs distribution in the city” was a significant achievement for his men.

On the right path

“We are in the right direction; Jennifer Hong is the good lead toward getting even bigger fish in the illegal drug operation not only in Quezon City but in [the] whole of Metro Manila,” he added in a statement.

He also commended his men for their “faithful and dedicated service” in the city’s campaign not only against drugs but crimes as well.

At the same time, Eleazar also warned residents to be extra vigilant and to report criminal and other suspicious activities in their areas.

“Full community support is the key to most effective police performance, with the civic-spirited community serving as the 24-hour early warning system or the eyes and ears of the police,” he said. As of Sunday, 816 drug suspects have been arrested in Quezon City.