The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), along with military and law enforcement counterparts, seized an estimated 400 kilograms of shabu worth P2.72 billion in consecutive buy-bust operations in Pangasinan and La Union Friday.
According to PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, the seized illegal drugs were still packed and labeled as Chinese Tea.
The operation was conducted by Region 1 multi-agency team composed of the PDEA Intelligence Service, PDEA RO 1, PDEA NCR, AFP Task Force NOAH, AFP Team Navy, Bureau of Customs and the Philippine National Police.
The PDEA-led team conducted the first buy-bust operation along Turquoise Street Sunshine Village, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan at 11:30 a.m. which resulted in the arrest of Ke Wujia also known as James Dagale Galopo, 49, Chinese national from San Vicente Sur, Agoo, La Union, together with three other Filipinos identified as Johnbert Yagong, 22, of San Agustin Norte, Agoo; Jenson Rey Yago, 29, of Brgy. Codcod, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; and Ritchell Repuesto, 28, from San Carlos City.
About 360 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P2,448,000,000 were seized from the Chinese National and his Filipino cohorts, along with their cellular phones, buy-bust money, assorted identification cards, and various financial documents.
In a follow up buy bust operation along Ilang Ilang Street, Barangay Poro, San Fernando, La Union at 12:45 p.m., they also nabbed Romel Leyese, 38, of Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, and John Paul Repuesto, 18 of San Carlos, Negros Occidental.
Around 40 kilograms of shabu, cellular phones, various identification cards, and financial documents were also seized from the two.
Cases for violation of Sec. 5 and 11, Art. II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspects.