Suspected drug lab financier extradited

Suspected drug lab financier Calvin Tan Sy arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal last night to face charges filed before the Cebu trial courts.

Security was tight at the airport as Philippine Airlines Flight 307 arrived from Hong Kong at 7:45 p.m.

From Hong Kong, Tan Sy was escorted by Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman on the House committee on illegal drugs, Justice Undersecretary Ernesto Pineda and two NBI agents identified as Special Investigator James Calleja and Supervising Agent Dominador Villanueva.

Waiting for the suspect was no less than Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, who was joined by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido, Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez and Cebu Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

Tan Sy, who is also known as Calvin de Jesus Tan, had been detained in Hong Kong since September last year and was only recently turned over to Filipino authorities by virtue of an existing extradition treaty between both countries, a report said.

"We thank the Hong Kong government for their cooperation," Gonzalez said.

Tan Sy has been accused of being the financier of a shabu laboratory raided by authorities last Sept. 24.

Joint operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized 675 kilos of shabu worth P1.3 billion from a clandestine laboratory in Mandaue.

Tan Sy immediately fled to Hong Kong, where he was later apprehended for earlier drug possession charges.

Cuenco said the extradition of the suspect had been a difficult task, "but we did it in 10 months."

"We hope to have a speedy trial to send a message to drug lords and dealers," he said.

Sources said Tan Sy was a "high value fugitive" and his people might attempt to free him.

To prevent a possible escape, the NBI sent 15 armed men to the NAIA as backup.

Tan Sy would spend the night at the NBI before he takes another flight to Cebu where he, along with his 10 co-accused, would have to face the drug charges pending before them at the Mandaue Regional Trial Court.