2 Chinese alleged drug traffickers arrested

MANILA -- Anti-narcotics agents have nabbed two suspected notorious international drug traffickers in a recent buy-bust operation in Mandaluyong City, an official said on Monday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. identified the suspects as Andy Ong, alias Wang Rong Chu, 36; and Asy Lee, 42. Both are Chinese nationals and suspected members of the Chua-Li Drug Trafficking Group.

Gutierrez said that elements of the PDEA Intelligence and Investigation Service (IIS), in cooperation with the Mandaluyong's City Mayor's Action Command, nabbed Ong and Lee at the vicinity of a popular coffee shop in Robinson's Pioneer Centre, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, on September 15. They were caught selling more or less 100 grams of shabu, with an estimated value worth P600,000, to a PDEA poseur-buyer.

Ong and Lee reportedly entered the country as missionaries of a religious group called Lian Ho San Tan Temple Inc. and have been under PDEA surveillance for their illegal drug trafficking activities.

Gutierrez said that the Chua-Li Drug Group has operations in Metropolitan Manila and adjacent provinces in Central Luzon and Calabarzon areas. Intelligence reports revealed that the group used to operate two shabu laboratories dismantled by PDEA the last two years.

From 2009, a total of 17 members of Chua-Li Drug Group have been arrested, including Ong and Lee. They are presently under the custody of PDEA and are facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26 (b) (Conspiracy to sell), Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SDR/Sunnex)