Alleged ‘big-time’ Chinese drug lord intercepted at NAIA

Immigration officers have intercepted an alleged member of a "big-time" Chinese drug syndicate said to been behind the operations of several shabu laboratories in the country.

A man identified as Hong Liangyi, 29, was stopped at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 last Sunday night before he could board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey en route to Tehran, Iran, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.

Hong is a "leading member" of the Dragon Wu international syndicate that allegedly distributes illegal drugs in the Philippines, the bureau said, citing authorities.

The syndicate was allegedly behind shabu laboratories that were raided in Ibaan, Batangas and in Malabon City.

The BI said Hong was stopped because he is on the bureau's hold departure list and is wanted for illegal drug cases before courts in Tagaytay City and Rosario, Batangas.

He faces charges before the Tagaytay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) with two fellow Chinese and before the Rosario RTC alongside 13 other suspects, the BI said.

The bureau said Hong has been turned over to the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. — BM, GMA News