Nigerian killed in Pasig drug bust; P13.6-M shabu seized

BY AARON RECUENCO

Anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) killed a Nigerian, reportedly a member of an international drug syndicate, after a buy-bust inside a budget hotel in Pasig City on Monday.

PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas said the operation also resulted in the confiscation of some two kilos of shabu worth P13.6 million, which was supposed to be bought by a poseur buyer from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

He identified the slain Nigerian as Emmanuel Christopher Chukwuma, alleged member of the West African Syndicate (WADS) responsible for the proliferation of shabu and cocaine in the country.

It was recalled that the WADS was tagged as responsible for the arrest of several Filipinos whom the syndicate would turn into drug mules or to sneak shabu and cocaine into and outside the country.

Sinas said the operation against Chukwuma stemmed from the two successful operations last year when Nigerian Kingsley Iwumune was arrested in Las Pinas City and Nigerian Gabriel Onyechefula was killed in a buy-bust in Tarlac.

Chukwuma, according to Sinas, was able to flee during the operation in Tarlac.

PDEG operatives were able to negotiate with Chukwuma to buy a large quantity of shabu. The meeting place was in a budget hotel in Bagong Ilog Pasig City late Monday afternoon. The buy-bust, however, turned into a shootout.

Lawmen also seized a 9mm pistol from Chukwuma.