PDEA 7 exec confirms President Duterte’s statement on Korean mafia in Cebu

An official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 has confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement Saturday night in Davao City that a Korean mafia is operating an illegal drug trade and a prostitution ring in Cebu. (Photo: Karlo Norman Alonzo/ Presidential Photo)

CEBU CITY –An official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 has confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement Saturday night in Davao City that a Korean mafia is operating an illegal drug trade and a prostitution ring in Cebu.

PDEA 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said Monday he knew about this information since 2009, when he was still the deputy director.

“We caught a Korean national last September who posed as a tourist guide and was also found to be selling drugs among his clients. That is an indicator that there is a syndicate moving underground in Cebu City,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said PDEA 7 operatives arrested Kim See Woong, 47, alias Kuma, by virtue of an arrest warrant last September 17, 2016 for failing to attend his court hearings.

Kim was arrested last January 9, 2011 for possession of illegal drugs but was able to post bail.

But Kim did not attend his court hearings, so a bench warrant was issued in April 2015 for his arrest.

Kim had a working visa and stayed in Barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City for 12 years before he was caught last year for offering shabu to his clients.

Ruiz said he believed the supply of shabu in South Korea came from Cebu, which is worth USD30,000 to 40,000 per kilo.

When it arrives in Korea, Ruiz said the price of shabu would rise up to USD100,000 to 130,000.

“We are the exporter, not the importer. Drugs are expensive there because their law enforcers are effective, which made it hard for the syndicate,” Ruiz added.