Suspected Chinese triad member caught in Binondo

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a Chinese national suspected of being a member of an international drug syndicate in a buy-bust in Binondo, Manila Wednesday.

Chiu Bing Hung, alias Victor Chiu, 38, of C. Palanca street in Quiapo, was presented to the media yesterday following his inquest before the Manila prosecutor’s office on charges of possessing, transporting and selling illegal drugs.

“Chiu has been under surveillance following reports that he is responsible for distributing and selling shabu in Binondo,” Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut told reporters.

At around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Chiu arrived on board a silver Chevrolet Optra (XRB-143) at the corner of Soler and Masangkay streets, where the informant and an undercover police officer were waiting.

He was arrested when he handed the informant a sachet of what was tested to be shabu. Police seized at least 24 grams of shabu from Chiu.

“The suspect sports a tiger tattoo on his left chest, the traditional symbol of the international triad gang,” Yabut said.

Yabut said Chiu tried to bribe him, but he refused. The suspect refuses to talk, he added. – Nestor Etolle