Manila: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, seized illegal drugs valued at PHP763 million and arrested 4,413 drug personalities in June. PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez announced that authorities conducted 3,460 anti-drug operations nationwide during the month, resulting in the dismantling of 23 illegal drug facilities. Seized during these operations were 86.39 kilograms of shabu, 2.30 kilograms of cocaine, 840 pieces of ecstasy, and 17.96 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves and bricks. Among those apprehended were high-value and target-listed individuals.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Las Pi±as City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 255 sentenced a Taiwanese national to life imprisonment for illegally possessing over 71 kilograms of shabu found inside a warehouse he leased. Identified as Chen Te Ho Chang, also known as Te Ho Chen and alias 'Tanda', he was convicted of violating Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The conviction followed a June 16 decision promulgated by the court.

The case arose from a search warrant executed on June 13, 2017, at the warehouse in Las Pi±as City. A joint anti-drug operation by PDEA and the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group led to the discovery and seizure of 71.2059 kilograms of shabu. Prior to the warehouse raid, Chen was arrested during an interdiction operation in a Para±aque City hotel on June 3, 2017, where authorities recovered approximately PHP250 million worth of shabu.

Nerez stated that the conviction underscores the government's commitment to ensuring major drug cases end in successful prosecution. He emphasized that the anti-illegal drug campaign goes beyond arrests and seizures, as efforts continue to build strong cases that withstand judicial scrutiny to hold drug traffickers accountable.