NBI files charges vs shabu lab supects

Chinese national Wang Yashi, the alleged maintainer of shabu laboratories in Metro Manila, and his alleged right-hand man James Chua, have been charged with drug trafficking by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.

Chua, 38, of 1683 Alvarez street, Sta. Cruz, Manila, was arrested by NBI and Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) agents on Tuesday in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Seized from Chua were nine bottles of thionyl chloride, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of shabu. Also seized were a mixer and a chemical pump.

Prior to his arrest, the NBI had received information that on Dec. 28, a Chinese speaking man who introduced himself as a certain Mr. Chua, had called-up Panacea Products, an international cargo forwarding company, and insisted that 15 boxes of canned beverages and unidentified equipment contained in a wooden crate be delivered to his house. The cargo was initially set for delivery to Wang, said Kristine Kho, manager of the forwarding firm.

On Jan. 6, Chua again called the forwarding firm and demanded that the cargo be delivered to his house since Wang was out of the country. Chua claimed the cargo will be spoiled if it was not delivered to him.

NBI agents nabbed Chua at his house as he received the cargo.

According to the NBI, Wang and his partner Deng Xiao Li alias "Lucy" fled the country following the discovery of their shabu laboratories in Navotas and Quezon City and the burning of another in Valenzuela City.

Meanwhile, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco said they now have a list of Wang’s alleged contacts, mostly Chinese names. The list was secured following Chua’s arrest.

"We were able to get Wang’s contacts in Metro Manila. We are now monitoring their activities. We have their aliases and their telephone numbers," Wycoco said.

The NBI is also determining the extent of Wang’s drug trafficking operation, which the NBI said is based in Mainland China. – Mike Frialde