AUTHORITIES are on the hunt for suspected remnants of a Chinese group believed to be responsible for the smuggling via Zambales province billions worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu being trafficked in Central Luzon and other parts of the country.
On Tuesday, September 7, 2021, a buy-bust operation conducted by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) resulted in the confiscation of some 580 kilograms of shabu with an estimated value of P3.94 billion, which anti-drug officials say is "so far the biggest drug haul this year."
PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar on Wednesday directed concerned police units to assist the PDEA in gathering intelligence against cohorts and remnants of the group of Xu Youhua, one of those who died in the anti-drug operation.
Xu is alleged to be one of the biggest shabu importers in the Philippines and is a member of a transnational drug trafficking organization.
Aside from Xu, killed in the Zambales drug sting were Gao Manzhu, 49; Hong Jianshe, 58; Eddie Tan, 60, all from Fujian, China.
In a follow-up operation, arrested in nearby Bataan province were Qing Chang Zhou alias Ricky Chou, 37; Cai Cai Bin alias James/Joseph Chua, 49; and Longcai Chang, 45.
For his part, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva said the illegal drugs were smuggled into the country through the international waters that were later picked up by smaller vessels, then transported near the coastal waters where they will be picked by local illegal drugs distributors.
Meanwhile, the BOC said it is in constant coordination and cooperation with all law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of the country's borders against the entry of illegal drugs and other contraband. (JTD)