The Regional Director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas is saying that the suspects arrested following the P40.9 million drug bust are linked to the Chinese Golden Triad syndicate.

Regional Director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro revealed the information in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, at Camp Dagohoy.

The suspects linked with the notorious Chinese drug syndicated were arrested on Monday, May 25, in two separate operations in Tagbilaran and in Talibon.

Moreover, Ferro said that based on the investigation made by the police, the drug supply allegedly being peddled by the suspects are from the Chinese Triad syndicate.

“When we are in the drug enforcement before in 2016 to 2019, there is a lot of tea packing wrapper (used) to conceal the illegal drugs,” Ferro said.

Additionally, he said that he has seen the tea package being used in several occasions in the past.

“We believe that the drugs are not coming from Bohol, but we are conducting an investigation.”

Ferro believes that Bohol has no capability to manufacture drugs or has a clandestine laboratory to make a huge volume of drugs, Ferro bared to the media.

Ferro additionally said, the tea packing is a signature that the illegal drugs were smuggled into the country and that these are coming from the triad.

Further, it was reported that the suspected drugs seized by the police were packed inside four Chinese tea bags.

BACKGROUND

Last Monday, May 25, the police arrested suspects Lelit Dajao, Chello Mae Pescura, Junalyn Matura, and Humprey Cenabre following a drug bust in Tagbilaran.

In the operation, the police seized suspected shabu with a Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value worth P13.7 million and with an estimated weight of two kilograms.

On the other hand, a follow-up drug operation was conducted in Talibon town by the police.

In the operation, police arrested Jaime Dajao, the husband of suspect Lelit Dajao.

In the follow- up operation, the police managed to seize suspected shabu with an estimated weight of four kilograms and with a DDB value worth P 27.2 million.

The arrested suspects were presented by the police to Bohol and Cebu media in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

It was learned that the two anti-drug operations were the result of a month-long surveillance conducted by the police‘s anti-drug operatives.