2 Hong Kong triad members nabbed

Two suspected members of a Hong Kong triad were arrested by the Manila police early yesterday morning after a buy-bust operation at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. At least two kilos of shabu were seized from the suspects.

The suspects were identified by acting Western Police District director Senior Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos as Eli Co Yan, 24, of 24 Fatima Street, Velenzuela City; and Jacky Ang Lee, 25, of 147 Fatima Street, Valenzuela City. Police said they are natives of Fookien, China.

According to police, the suspects, who barely speak English, arrived at the Quirino Grandstand aboard a Honda Civic with plate number UTJ-153 at about 4 a.m.

The suspects were met by an undercover policeman to whom they handed over a kilo of shabu and were subsequently arrested.

When policemen checked the suspects’ car, they found another kilo of shabu. The WPD is now coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to determine if the suspects entered the country illegally.

They are detained at the WPD jail and illegal drug possession and trafficking charges are being readied against them.

Manila Mayo Lito Atienza lauded yesterday the Manila police for the arrest of two drug suspects.

"Malaking bagay itong huling ito (This is a big catch). This is certainly a major gain in our campaign against these merchants of death," said Atienza in a statement.

Police arrested early yesterday morning two suspected members of the "Bukas-Kotse Gang" in Quezon City and confiscated from them two sacks full of side mirrors and other car accessories.

Suspects Lino Fajardo, 50, taxi driver, a resident of St. Joseph Subdivision, and Ronaldo Paranyo, 23, of Sampaloc, Manila, are now detained at the Central Police District headquarters.

Recovered from them were two sacks filled with stolen car accessories, most of them side mirrors, a bladed weapon, and a tool box. Authorities also seized Fajardo’s white AFJ taxi (PYG-220).

Central Police District operatives are now hunting two other suspects who eluded arrest Fajardo and Paranyo were collared after a high-speed chase at about 4 a.m. along Imperial St., corner Aurora Boulevard, Cubao. – Mike Frialde and Matthew Estabillo.