PDEA has leads on Subic drug suspect's trafficking network

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is following up leads to bust the drug syndicate operating at the Subic Bay Freeport where authorities recovered over the weekend another 30 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Sunday that the agency already had an idea to which drug syndicate Anthony "Anton" Ang belonged.

"We already have an idea about Ang's network. We're following that direction," Santiago said by phone, without elaborating so as not to burn ongoing follow-up operations by authorities.

Ang was suspected to be behind the smuggling of the biggest shipment of shabu into the freeport two weeks ago. Authorities have conducted a manhunt for Ang.

He reportedly left Olongapo City on May 26, the day before 744.66 kilograms of shabu was discovered loaded in his car by agents of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group and Task Force Subic.

Ang and his family supposedly left their house in West Bajac-Bajac in Olongapo City.

Santiago said Ang was not originally on the PDEA's watchlist but the investigation following the drug bust at Subic gave the anti-illegal drug agency a clearer picture about the suspect and his network.

Santiago said PDEA "will keep on investigating, tie the loose ends in the case, and watch the case to solve the problem."

The street value of shabu per kilo now ranges from P6 million to P8 million, according to Santiago. By Nikko Dizon - Philippine Daily Inquirer