PDEA intercepts chemicals

A Chinese national and his two Filipino helpers were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) while in the act of transporting chemicals and equipment allegedly to be used in the manufacture of shabu.

PDEA Director Anselmo Avenido identified those arrested as Johhny Chua, alias Cai Rongzon, 30, and a resident of Lawang Bato, Valenzuela City.

Also arrested with Chua were his two helpers, Joemar Acosta, 23, of 4899 Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City and Lito Tolentino, 33, of Baesa, Quezon City.

Avenido said the three were arrested last Thursday along Bionic street in Lawang Bato, Valenzuela while aboard a closed van (WPH-809).

Avenido said that prior to the arrest, the suspects were being tailed by PDEA agents from Sta. Cruz, Manila, where they picked up the chemicals and equipment .

When the intercepted van was opened, PDEA agents found five bottles of nitric acid, eight bottles of hydrochloric acid, 10 bottles of acetic acid, crates of filter paper, a large beaker, two wooden crates containing electric motors, 25 tanks containing hydrogen tanks and a hydrogenator machine, which is used to turn methamphetamine from liquid to crystal.

Chua has been in the country for seven years now, allegedly using his plastics warehouse in Lawang Bato as a front for the shabu-making operation. – with Jerry Botial