3 Chinese arrested in shabu bust

Two Chinese men and a Chinese woman, believed to be members of a drug ring based in Binondo, Manila, were arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Narcotics Division during a buy-bust operation last Wednesday.

The arrested suspects were identified as Hong Yen, 24, of 1045 Fugoso St., Sta. Cruz, Manila; Tsien Tsien Chua, 24, female, of Binondo, Manila; and Gun Jie Ang, 24, of 1286 Abad Santos St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. The three are natives of Fookien, China. Also seized from the suspects were two kilos of shabu worth at least P4 million.

According to Ruel Lasala, head of the NBI Narcotics Division, the suspects have long been the subjects of a surveillance operation.

Last Wednesday night, NBI agents got a tip that the suspects were about to conduct a deal for two kilos of shabu. They arranged an entrapment operation.

Later that night, an undercover NBI agent met Hong at a restaurant in Binondo and agreed to set-up the deal. Hong asked to see the money in exchange for the two kilos of shabu.

After he was shown the money, Hong asked the undercover agent to follow him to the Lai Lai Restaurant along Ongpin street.

Hong entered the restaurant while the undercover agent waited outside. Minutes later, Tsien and Gun arrived carrying a plastic shopping bag and spoke with Hong.

Hong then handed the plastic bag to the undercover agent. After confirming that the bag contained shabu, wrapped in a newspaper, the agent gave the signal for the arrest. – Mike Frialde