P20-M shabu seized in QC sting

MANILA, Philippines - At least five kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with a street value of more than P20 million, were confiscated from a Chinese man during a drug sting in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Jiacheng Shi, also known as Joseph Sy and Boy Instik, 33, was arrested by police officers from the District Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group (DAIDSOTG) at the corner of Masaya and Maginhawa streets at past 7 a.m., shortly after he handed a kilo of shabu, which he priced at P1.5 million, to an undercover police officer, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.

Senior Inspector Robert Razon, DAIDSOTG chief, said Shi did not resist arrest.

Police officers found four one-kilo packs of shabu labeled as Chinese coffee in Shi’s black Mazda sedan, with license plate POA-949, he said.

Pagdilao said Shi – a native of Fujian and currently staying in a condominium unit in Binondo, Manila – has been the subject of surveillance after he was identified as “the person who had been delivering shabu at the barangay level.”

He said a P1-million drug bust made by QCPD Station 5 police officers several weeks ago “finally led us to the suspect.”

Pagdilao said they will coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation for the identification and arrest of Shi’s cohorts.

He said they will also check if Shi is “in any way connected with the Chinese nationals who were arrested in a laboratory in Valenzuela City last month.” 

Shi was brought to the DAIDSOTG detention facility in Camp Karingal while investigators prepare charges against him.