NCRPO seizes P25-M shabu

The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) said yesteday it has busted the “Binondo-Quiapo” connection of a drug syndicate following the arrest of a Chinese national and a Filipino who yielded 10 kilos of high-grade shabu with an estimated value of P25 million.

Ang Ahua, 47, of Ongpin street in Binondo, and Salik Sangote, 21, of Arlegui street in Quiapo, both in Manila, were presented yesterday by NCRPO deputy for operation Chief Superintendent Eric Javier and Senior Superintendent Jun Marquez, the NCRPO’s intelligence chief.

“We are able to rid the streets of 10 kilos of shabu because of our successful busting of the Binondo-Quiapo connection of the drug syndicate,” Javier said.

NCRPO chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla said he expects more arrests in the coming days as his men are conducting massive follow-up operations to arrest  other members of the drug syndicate.

The two suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City last Sept. 25.

Aside from the shabu, the NCRPO raiders also seized a dark orange Mazda (UGH-978) and a dark blue Ford F-150 (WJM 959) that the two suspects allegedly used in their drug-peddling operation.

Superintendent Napoleon Villegas, chief of the NCRPO’s Regional Police Investigation and Operating Unit (RPIOU), said  the arrest of Ang and Angote was a result of a follow-up operation in relation to the Sept. 6 arrest of Chua Liong and Marlon Susano, who yielded two kilos of shabu.

Sangote denied being a member of the drug syndicate, saying he just worked as a driver for them.

Ang talked in Chinese and nobody in the conference room could understand him. During tactical interrogation by a Chinese policeman, Ang claimed that he and Sangote were living in a room in Binondo.

While in detention at the RPIOU jail, Ang blurted out in Filipino, “Gutom ako!” prompting policemen to give him some food.

Villegas said Chinese nationals suspected of being members of drug syndicates claim they cannot speak Filipino.

“They would claim that it is impossible for them to arrange the sale of the illegal drugs because they cannot speak our language. And some cases were dismissed because of the said defense,” a policeman said.

Inspector Mark Alain Ballesteros, a forensic chemist at the crime laboratory of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, certified that the seized products tested positive for shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride.

The NCRPO filed various cases against Ang and Chua before the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office yesterday.

Prosecutor Renato Garcia recommended no bail against Ang and Sangote who are currently detained at the RPIOU jail in Bicutan, Taguig City.         – Non Alquitran