P68 million shabu in Chinese tea bags seized in Pasay

MANILA, Philippines — Around P68 million worth of shabu believed to have been smuggled into the country by the Chinese-run Golden Triangle drug ring was confiscated during a sting in Pasay City on Saturday night.

Alleged drug dealers Mia Biance Churez, 22, and Dave Realin, 21, were apprehended in the operation, which took place in front of a bus terminal along EDSA in Malibay at around 8:30 p.m.

Col. Romeo Caramat Jr., who heads the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), said approximately 10 kilos of shabu placed in Chinese tea bags were recovered from the suspects.

“Based on the packaging, the drugs came from the Golden Triangle,” Caramat said in a text message to The STAR.

The drug ring is based in China and Hong Kong with operations in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, according to authorities.

The suspects were arrested after they allegedly sold shabu for P800,000 to a policeman who posed as a buyer.

“They have been under police surveillance for one month,” Caramat said.

Aside from the DEG, operatives of the Pasay police took part in the drug bust.

More drug suspects fall

Members of the Marikina police seized over P500,000 worth of drugs in Antipolo, Rizal over the weekend.

Police said the target of the sting, known only as Rolando, 41, was arrested in a condominium unit where they recovered around 75 grams of shabu.

Rolando along with his two cohorts are being held at the Marikina police detention cell.

In Pasig City, 13 suspected drug pushers were nabbed in separate stings.

Audrey Joy Vira, 34; Jayhad Matabalao, 24; Robert Coronas, 34; Fahad Kasan, 34, and Adel Mendozawere collared in Barangay Pinagbuhatan.

The suspects allegedly yielded at least 13 grams of shabu worth P88,400, firearms and ammunition.

Anti-narcotics officers arrested Armando Dillomas, 31; Freddie Cruz, 29, and Aris Babon in Barangay Maybunga.

Police said they recovered from the suspects 10 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P68,000.

Three other suspects included in the city’s drug watchlist were arrested by police.

In Mandaluyong, police apprehended John Paul Gayo, 19, who allegedly dropped a sachet of shabu while being issued a citation ticket for smoking in public at the corner of Santo Rosario Extension and Boni Avenue.

Chinese fugitive nabbed

A Chinese fugitive believed to be a member of a drug ring was arrested during an operation at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga on Friday night.

Wang Jingquiang, 40, was nabbed by operatives of the Manila Police District-Special Mayor’s Reaction Team led by Maj. Cicero Pura, MPD-Intelligence Division, Philippine National Police Region 3 Intelligence Group, Bureau of Immigration, Clark police and the Quanzhou Public Security Bureau.

Authorities said Wang managed to sneak into the country through the backdoor.

The suspect is being held by the Manila police pending his deportation. – With Neil Jayson Servallos, Ghio Ong, Rey Galupo