MANILA -- Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized PHP2.5 million worth of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and arrested two Nigerian nationals who are suspected members of the African Drug Syndicate (ADS) in a buy-bust operation in Cavite, a PDEA official said Saturday.
PDEA Director Gen. Aaron Aquino identified the suspects as Agu Austin Chukwuebuka; and Nkwocha Chimaobi, both Nigerian nationals, who were arrested on Friday by the joint operatives of PDEA-Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES) under Dir. Levi Ortiz, PDEA Regional Office IV-A CALABARZON under Dir. Adrian Alvariño and PDEA Regional Office V Camarines Sur Provincial Office under Dir. Christian Frivaldo.
Aquino said Chukwuebuka and Chimaobi were arrested after they conspired in selling 11 transparent plastic sachets containing suspected 500 grams of shabu worth P2,500,000 to a poseur-buyer in a parking lot of a popular fast food chain in Talaba 4, Bacoor City, Cavite.
According to intelligence reports, Chukwuebuka and Chimaobi are ADS members operating in the Philippines and are actively engaged in large scale distribution of shabu in the entire Bicol Region and CALABARZON.
The name and contact numbers of Chukwuebuka and Chimaobi were acquired through investigation of the linkages of the group, following the arrest of Olivia Encinas, a suspected big-time drug lord, and three others during a buy-bust operation along Almeda Highway, Naga City last November 4, 2017, and the arrest of two ADS members Solomon Anochiwa and Desmond Ozoma in Kawit, Cavite.
The PDEA chief said the suspects are temporarily under the custody of the PDEA RO IV-A and would be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, before the Provincial Prosecutors Office in Cavite. (PNA)
