'BIG PLAYER'. Canadian Thomas Gordon O’ Quinn (standing, center) is presented to the media during a press briefing at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City on May 20, 2024. O'Quinn is linked to the PHP9.6 billion shabu shipment intercepted at a checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on April 15. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler)
MANILA – Canadian Thomas Gordon O'Quinn tagged as a suspect in the PHP9.6-billion shabu shipment in Batangas province would stay in the country to face local charges before he can be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday.
“He has to stand trial and face his crimes locally, before we deport him so he can again strand trial for the crimes he committed abroad,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
O'Quinn, 38, was nabbed in an operation by the BI's fugitive search unit and police operatives in Tagaytay City on May 16.
Tansingco said the foreigner is considered a big-time drug lord and is wanted by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for cases filed in the United States.
O’Quinn is also subject of an Interpol red notice after a US district court in western Washington released a warrant for his arrest.
In the Philippines, the Canadian is charged with the violation of Section 11 (Illegal Possession), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), and Article 178 (Using Fictitious Name and Concealing True Name) of the Revised Penal Code.
O'Quinn reportedly rented a yacht to transport the narcotics through the waters off Nasugbu town.
He also purportedly rented a house in the same town, which was raided by the police on April 19 by virtue a search warrant issued by the court for violation of RA 9165.
“This is a major accomplishment of all agencies involved. It serves as a warning to syndicates that might be attempting to initiate illegal operations here in the Philippines. Your crimes will not go unpunished,” Tansingco said.
The BI said the foreigner was reportedly charged before the US court with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute the illegal substance called methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.
An additional charge of conspiracy to export from the US five kilograms of cocaine was also filed against him in the same court.
O’Quinn allegedly committed the offenses from August 2014 and June 2015 during which time he and his cohorts facilitated the export and import of illegal drugs from Canada to the US and vice-versa.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum of life imprisonment under the US Penal Code. (PNA)
