2 Chinese nabbed in P25-M shabu bust

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen seized shabu with a street value of P25 million and arrested two Chinese men during a sting in Quezon City on Sunday night.

Benson Lao, 51, and Benedict Ong, 38, were arrested at the corner of Regalado Avenue and Burbank street in North Fairview at past 11 p.m. by a team led by Senior Inspector Roberto Razon and Inspector Johnny Garcia, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

Razon, who heads the QCPD’s anti-drug unit, said the two had been tagged in the distribution of illegal drugs in different areas in Metro Manila.

Albano said one of the areas they allegedly supply is the vicinity of Fairview, particularly along Regalado Avenue, where a shooting rampage occurred earlier this month.

According to Razon, the two had reportedly been sourcing drugs from Bulacan and distributing them in different parts of the metropolis.

Razon said a tipster gave them the cell phone number of the suspects and they were able to set up a transaction. He said the intelligence buildup was done in three months, including the surveillance of the suspects.

Razon said they were able to arrange a deal with the suspects for the purchase of a kilo of shabu, resulting in the suspects’ arrest on Sunday night.

Police officers discovered four more kilos of shabu stuffed in a backpack on the passenger seat of the suspects’ Toyota Vios.

Razon said they also seized different denominations of Chinese currency.