South Korean fugitive wanted for drug crimes nabbed, to be deported

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A South Korean fugitive was arrested in Manila for involvement in illegal drugs and will soon be deported, said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the fugitive as 40-year-old Choi Sol, who was arrested at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila.

Viado said Choi is a subject of an Interpol red notice issued in 2022, after being indicted before a Korean court for violating South Korea’s narcotics control act.

READ: BI: 3 South Korean fugitives awaiting deportation

“Choi’s passport has been revoked by the Korean government which made him an undocumented alien who is subject to immediate deportation,” Viado said in a statement.

According to Viado, Choi was arrested after BI fugitive search units were tipped about his presence inside the office premises.

BI said Choi is currently facing a warrant of arrest, issued by a district court in Cheongju City, South Korea in August 2022 after his involvement in operating an online chatroom that was used to trade and advertise the sale of illegal drugs.

READ: Philippines deports 2 South Korean fugitives on Interpol red notice 

Choi, along with other suspects, was believed to have amassed a profit of more than 10 million won or $7,000.

He is currently detained at the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City pending deportation proceedings.