Shabu lab ‘bankroller’ to name Cebu cohorts?

CEBU — Calvin Tan, the alleged mastermind and bankroller of what is believed to be the biggest shabu operation in Asia, is finally back in Cebu to face charges, and perhaps name his local accomplices.

His return capped months of close cooperation between international law enforcement agencies and intense negotiations between Philippine and Hong Kong officials on his extradition following his arrest there.

Tan was arrested in Hong Kong where he fled shortly after his alleged shabu laboratories in Mandaue City, capable of churning out tons of what is known as poor man’s cocaine, got busted in September.

The other day, Tan, trying to conceal his handcuffs under a white towel, stepped off a commercial Cebu Pacific flight at the Mactan Cebu International Airport from Manila, where he had been presented to President Arroyo in Malacañang.

He looked dapper and relaxed in a cool white long-sleeved shirt, perhaps because of the thought that even if found guilty, he could never be meted the maximum penalty of death imposed under Philippine laws because of the terms of his extradition.

Hong Kong agreed to extradite Tan only on condition that the Philippines will not impose the maximum penalty of death in the event of a conviction.

The heavy security that attended his arrival clearly suggested his importance to the case now before the regional trial court in Mandaue City.

Charged with Tan are 11 other suspects — a Briton, three Chinese, two Taiwanese, two Malaysians and three Filipinos.

Tan’s arrival has now set Cebu abuzz with speculations as to who his local accomplices may be.

Justice Undersecretary Ernesto Pineda, who accompanied Tan, said authorities are in possession of documents that can identify who these local contacts are.

Rep. Antonio Cuenco, vice chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, also accompanied Tan along with the suspect’s lawyer, William de los Santos.

To ensure the extradition, Mrs. Arroyo signed an undertaking with the Hong Kong government that Tan will not be meted the death penalty if found guilty.

Pineda, however, said the undertaking Mrs. Arroyo signed did not extend to the 11 other accused,

Tan refused to issue any statement to the media upon his arrival here.

To this day, De los Santos said Tan continues to claim his innocence and is not happy that he was implicated in the shabu laboratory case. — Freeman News Service