Chinese smuggling P6M shabu at airport: Contacts named

CEBU, Philippines - Central Visayas Police Regional Office Director Noli Taliño ordered his men yesterday to look into the possible contacts of an alleged Chinese drug mule caught trying to smuggle in 4.5 kilos of shabu worth P6 million at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Wednesday.

Taliño said Zhou Liming, 27, had already been to Cebu twice before and might have already made drug-related transactions on those occasions.

He said the Chinese national stayed two to three days in Cebu in every trip after being fetched from the airport.

The PNP Aviation Security Group which is expected to file the case soon, was also able to extract the names of Zhou's contacts here in Cebu and the names of those who were supposedly going to meet up with her when she arrived in Cebu.

Taliño said there was a strong possibility that in Zhou's first and second visit here in Cebu she was also carrying illegal drugs.

 "Local contacts were included in the investigation," he said.

He, however, said that Zhou's name did not come up in intelligence reports his men had gathered. 

The regional director, though, said the amount of drugs Zhou carried could only mean she is part or may have been used by a drug syndicate.

"Nagamit sa syndicate kasi bakit ganun siya kalakas ng loob…tapos yung dami nung dala niya, di basta-basta almost five kilos," he said.

"Nandito na lahat sa Cebu.  Transient, bagsakan, local use, local trade kasi accessible ang Cebu, at madami ring pagbagsakan- seaport, airport," he added.

Taliño believed that there is a huge possibility that the drug shipment may had been intended for Cebu only, although he was not discounting the possibility that it may be shipped to other parts of the region, Cebu being used only as transshipment point.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Consulate Office in Cebu City relayed a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila saying their government have been firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals.

When The FREEMAN visited the consulate office, a staff member said they have not yet received any order from their Manila embassy that a lawyer will be provided to Zhou, a native of Hunan Province in Central China.

"The Chinese government has been promoting and has carried out effective international cooperation with many countries. China fully understands that the Philippine government under the leadership of H.E. President Rodrigo Duterte has taken it as a top priority in cracking down drug-related crimes," read the statement issued by spokesperson Li Lingxiao.

"Illicit drugs are common enemy of mankind. Fighting against all drug-related crimes is (a) shared responsibility of all countries in the world. The Chinese government has been firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals in accordance with laws regardless their nationalities.

Onboard Cathay Pacific Airways flight number CX 921 from Hongkong to MCIA, Zhou, a nurse, was arrested at around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday for carrying 11 packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P6 million in her suitcase.

Bureau of Customs personnel put Zhou on hold after they saw suspicious items in her suitcase after it passed through the X-ray machine. The on-duty dog, Jellak, a Belgian malinois, also sat infront of the bag, which was a sign that it detected contraband.

When the suitcase was examined, authorities found inside its lining 11 packs of shabu weighing 4.5 kilos.

Through an interpreter, who requested anonymity, Zhou claimed that she had no idea there was shabu in her suitcase. Reportedly, Zhou was set to meet two Filipino companions — a male and a female.

She added she was ordered by her cousin to fly to Cebu and the time she was arrested was her third visit.

"We learned that she visited twice at pangatlo yun kahapon  (Wednesday)…. We are closely coordinating with the Bureau of Custom and the Regional Special Operations Group sa pagbisita niya (Zhou) dito," Taliño said.

He warned everybody not to violate the law because his administration is serious in its campaign against illegal drugs.

Yesterday afternoon, criminal complaints were filed against Zhou before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor's Office for alleged importation, transport adnd possession of dangerous drugs.

Zhou was sued for violating Sections 4, (importation of dangerous drugs), 5 (delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs) and 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.)

In an inquest proceeding before city prosecution II Angelo Barrios yesterday, Zhou chose not to undergo a preliminary investigation. He is expected to issue a resolution at 1 p.m. today.

Police Superintendent Enrico Rigor, chief of the Legal and Investigation Division of the regional police's Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, said the suspect was supposed to fly back to China on July 23 had she not been arrested.

He likewise said they will include in their investigation Zhou's connections and the hotel she was supposed to stay while in Cebu.

On the other hand, Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, PNP Aviation Security Group director said they would closely coordinate with the investigating bodies, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group, and other offices. (FREEMAN)