3 Taiwanese, Filipina fall in Calabarzon’s ‘biggest’ drug haul

Three Taiwan nationals and a Filipina were arrested by joint operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during an anti-illegal drug operation in Infanta, Que-

zon Tuesday.

The operatives seized 10 sacks of chemicals and 22 30-liter gallons of liquid substances believed used in the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu). The PNP and PDEA teams said this was the biggest drug haul in recent history in the Calabarzon (Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Region.

Chief Superintendent Edward Carranza, regional director of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A), identified the Taiwanese suspects as JhuoTian-You, Ching-Huang Lin and Lin Ching-Weng; and Kimberly de Vera.

Joint operatives of the PNP's Drug Enforcement Group (DEG), Maritime Group (MG), Infanta Municipal Police Station and PDEA-4A arrested the suspects at about 4 a.m. yesterday while aboard a motorized boat along the shoreline of Barangay Dinahican.

Carranza said the suspects were nabbed after months of surveillance.

Police said they received information that the group would be transporting drug chemicals and substances on the said time and date in the shoreline of Infanta, a known drop-off point of illegal drug shipments. The information proved positive.

De Vera claimed she had no knowledge of the illegal drug activities of the group but admitted she and You are in a relationship. The two met through social media.

Authorities said one of the modus operandi of foreign drug groups is to have a relationship with locals in the Philippines in exchange for money to avoid suspicion.

The suspects will be charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.