Golden Triangle ring eyed in P1.9-billion drug haul

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese-run Golden Triangle syndicate could be behind the P1.9 billion worth of shabu seized at a Cavite warehouse over the weekend, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said yesterday their initial assessment of the seizure of the 274 kilos of shabu indicated involvement of the Golden Triangle syndicate based in China and Hong Kong, as well various smaller drug gangs operating a cartel.

Aquino added that the local Wu drug group behind the shabu laboratory in Ibaan, Batangas could also be behind the warehouse in Cavite.

“We are trying to determine what was the level of participation. This was what we were after in Ibaan and we were able to link it,” he said.

Aquino said in an interview that Metro Manila would be the primary distribution point of the shabu that was for repacking when operatives swooped down on the Tanza, Cavite warehouse last Saturday.

Two Chinese citizens identified as Vincent Du Lim and Hong Li Wen, both residents of Fujian, China were killed during the operation. The Chinese were identified through their passports.

The slain suspects were caught while on “overtime” still repacking the shabu in blue pastic bags.

Initial investigation showed that the shabu could have been shipped already as a finished product at entry points in Northern Luzon before it was transported to Cavite.

He said in another interview with radio dzMM that the shabu may have been shipped in big volumes before it was transported to the coastline by smaller vessels.

However, Aquino said they are also investigating if the shabu could have been locally manufactured in Mindanao before it made its way to Luzon.

The PDEA is set to conduct drug impurity testing to fully determine if the shabu was locally sourced or imported.