ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives seized 260 kilos of shabu worth P1.76 billion in Quezon City and Cavite yesterday, the largest single-day drug haul so far under the new administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Two suspected Chinese drug dealers, identified as Cai Jia Zhu, alias Anson Chua, 41, of Bacoor City, Cavite and Hai Lin, 41, of Dasmariñas City, also in Cavite, were nabbed, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
Zhu was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Maria Clara corner Banawe Streets in Barangay Lourdes, Quezon City at around 10:30 a.m. He yielded 40 kilos of shabu worth P272 million.
Also seized from Zhu were a Toyota Corolla, a driver’s license, a COVID-19 vaccination card and a mobile phone.
PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva said Zhu had been under surveillance for four months before the PDEA, PNP and the Armed Forces conducted the buy-bust operation.
Villanueva said Zhu is a subordinate of a supplier, referring to Lin, who was arrested in a follow-up operation on Fullana corner Soriano Streets, Avida Residences in Dasmariñas City at around 11:30 a.m.
Seized during the operation were 220 kilos of shabu worth P1.496 billion, a mobile phone, a COVID-19 vaccination card, a driver’s license and documents.
“Today, we seized a total of 260 kilos of shabu, worth P1.796 billion. We also arrested two Chinese during the two operations and these suspects will face a case for violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002),” said Villanueva.
He said the drugs were probably manufactured in Myanmar and smuggled into the country by the Golden Triangle drug syndicate. He said PDEA is investigating how the drugs were smuggled into the country.
The largest drug haul during the Duterte administration was 1,680 kilos of shabu, worth more than P11 billion, in Infanta, Quezon last March this year. Ten suspects were arrested in the NBI-led operation.
“We know how important the campaign against illegal drugs is to the new president,” said Villanueva.
Villanueva also said he is recommending to Marcos to sustain the barangay drug-clearing program.
“If we cannot stop people from using illegal drugs, illegal drugs will continue to enter (our country). Until we rehabilitate the drug addicts, drug organizations will find ways to smuggle drugs,” he said.
