2 Chinese nationals nabbed in P40M shabu bust named

MANILA, Philippines — Around P40 million worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were seized from two Chinese nationals in a buy-bust operation in Pasay City on Wednesday.

A report reaching the Southern Police District identified the suspects as Li Shao Xiong, 35; and Shi Qing Tian, 47, who also goes by the alias Angelo Santillan.

Senior Supt. Eusebio Adamero Mejos, officer in charge of the SPD, said the two were natives from Fujian province who entered the country as tourists, although it was unclear how long they had been staying in the Philippines.

Tian’s last known address, though, was in Plaza La Chambre St. in Binondo, Manila, Mejos said.

“The two had been under surveillance for two months prior to the operation,” Senior Supt. Joel Doria, the city’s chief of police, said.

According to Mejos, the suspects were arrested after they sold P40,000 worth of suspected shabu to the police-poseur buyer in a Jollibee parking area at the corner of Macapagal and Buendia Avenues at 9 p.m.

As soon as the deal was consummated, Mejos said the suspects even tried to elude arrest, but were cornered by drug operatives from the District Special Operations Unit and the District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.

Seized from the two were more or less eight kilograms of suspected shabu contained in two transparent plastic resealable bags that had been placed inside a black paper bag with markings “The world’s finest liquor” and in six transparent plastic resealable bags contained in a black travelling bag with the brand marking “NIKE.”

Mejos said a white bag containing the eight pieces of P500 bills in buy-bust money, three mobile phones, among others, were also confiscated from the suspects.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are set to be filed against the two, who are in SPD custody.  SFM