Foreigner, Pinay cohort nabbed, P686.8M worth of shabu seized in Pampanga buy-bust
By Chito Chavez
Government anti-narcotics authorities seized on Wednesday, May 14, around P686.8 million worth of shabu following the arrest of a Chinese national and alleged Filipina cohort during a buy-bust operation in Angeles City, Pampanga, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
PDEA Director General Isagani R Nerez said the suspects, with aliases ‘Wang’ and ‘Shania’, were nabbed at around 11:35 a.m. at the Friendship Highway in Barangay Sto Domingo.
He commended the PDEA, PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) uniformed personnel for conducting the entrapment operation that led to the arrest of the two suspects.
Describing the suspects as among the top drug suppliers in the country, the PDEA disclosed that Chinese national ‘Wang’ is living in Clark, Pampanga while Shania is a resident of Tarlac City.
Aside from the approximately 101 kilograms of shabu concealed in 96 tea bags and five self-sealing transparent plastic bags, the operatives also confiscated one vehicle (Toyota Sienna), a mobile phone and driver’s licenses.
The operation was carried out by the PDEA Intelligence Service, PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region, PDEA Regional Office IV-A Pampanga Provincial Office, AFP-Counterintelligence Group, and the PNP Regional Police Drug Enforcement Units.
‘Wang’ and ‘Shania’ face charges for violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.’’
“This operation is a product of our continuous tracking of our previous operations targeting the main source of the illegal drugs. The government is prioritizing the conduct of high-impact operations leading to high-volume drug seizures and the arrest of high-value drug personalities like alias ‘Wang’ and ‘Shania’ who are one of the top suppliers of illegal drugs in the country,” Nerez asserted.
“We will continue to crack down on these people, in response to the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to pursue organized groups that are involved in big-time drug trafficking activities, including their sources,” he added.
The PDEA chief also vowed to further enhance the agency’s “partnerships with other drug law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, and encourage the participation of the citizenry in the national anti-drug campaign.’’