South Korean drug suspect arrested in Cebu

(Photo from BI)

MANILA, Philippines — A South Korean wanted in his country for allegedly being a member of a big-time drug syndicate was arrested in Cebu City on Tuesday.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said its Fugitive Search Unit arrested  Choi Sun Hyeok.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Choi is a high profile fugitive and is believed to be a member of  the “MS Alliance” syndicate that smuggles illegal drugs from the Philippines to Korea.

After confirming Choi’s presence in the Philippines, the Interpol issued a red notice this year.

The Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manila reported that Choi is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Changwon District Court in South Korea for violating the narcotics control act.

The South Korean government has also revoked Choi’s passport, making him an undocumented alien, the BI said.

Pursuant to a summary deportation order that the bureau’s board of commissioners issued against Choi in 2017, Tansingco said he issued the fugitive a warrant of deportation.

“He will thus be immediately deported to Seoul after we have secured the necessary clearances for his departure,” Tansingco said.

Choi will also be barred from re-entering the Philippines.

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