BI nabs alleged Chinese drug kingpin in Rizal

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has nabbed an suspected Chinese drug kingpin running a methamphetamine laboratory in Taytay, Rizal.

According to a statement issued on Friday, suspect Shi Chufang had been arrested on December 14 due to outstanding warrants of kidnapping issued by the Public Security Bureau of Jinjiang City in 2024.

He was also considered an undocumented alien due to a cancelled passport, and the subject of a blacklist order issued in January and a Watchlist order in July.

Meanwhile, suspect Shuguang Fan was also arrested with Shi.

Shuguang Fan was found to have been the subject of an order to leave in 2023 after an unexplained prolonged stay.

“This fugitive remains in BI custody, after we received government intelligence reports that he is involved in the production of methamphetamine in the Philippines… We were informed that he is a kingpin in the illicit drug industry, heading a shabu laboratory while posing as an ordinary citizen,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

He also said that the Bureau had cancelled a request for Shi’s expedited deportation to process his crimes in the country, and that there are current attempts to “muddle” the incident given Shi’s influence in Rizal as an alleged drug kingpin.

“We cannot allow this person to just leave the country and not face his crimes here... This is a clear attempt to escape liability, and we will not be complicit to that,” he said.

“The cancellation of the implementation of his deportation will ensure that he will not evade justice. We are now in close coordination with the Philippine National Police for the possible filing of criminal cases against Shi,” he added.

Shi remains in BI custody at their facility in Muntinlupa City. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News