3 Chinese nabbed in P90-million shabu raid

MANILA, Philippines – Policemen seized 20 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and arrested three suspected narcotics traders during a buy-bust operation in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Operatives from the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) and the Quezon City Police District’s Station 1 posed as buyers and arranged a deal with Chinese nationals Jiang Huo Zao, 47; Jeson Co, alias Jiang Wu, 38; and Chen Junyue, 31, for two kilos of shabu worth P9 million. The drug bust was conducted along Kanlaon street in Barangay Teresita at about 8 a.m.

After the deal was consummated, the lawmen arrested the suspects and found 18 more kilos of shabu in the suspects’ vehicles. The 20 kilos of shabu have a street value of P90 million.

Policemen also arrested the three suspects’ companion, Jojit Ilao, 34, and confiscated the suspects vehicles – a gray Nissan Exalta (XBX- 683), a black Toyota Altis (XSU-502) and a green Honda Civic (XDS-845).

AIDSOTF chief Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano said the suspects’ arrest was the result of close coordination between the task force, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, the China Narcotics Unit and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under comprehensive plan “South Stone.”

“Constant intelligence exchange led to the discovery of the (suspects’) drug trafficking activities in the areas of Quezon City and Manila,” he said, adding that they are preparing to charge those arrested with violating Republic Act 9165 (sale of dangerous drugs). – With Reinir Padua