P15-M shabu seized in women’s jail, condo raids

PDEA Director General Aaron N Aquino identified the suspects as Yuk Lai Yu, with aliases Yuk Lai Sze and Anna Sy Balmeo, 72, an inmate of Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Mandaluyong City since 2000 for drug charges; and her daughter Diana Yu Uy, 40. (Photo: Bureau of Corrections)

MANILA — Combined operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) seized PHP15.4 million worth of methamphetamine hydrocloride also known as ‘shabu’ from a Taiwanese mother and her daughter in separate operations.

PDEA Director General Aaron N Aquino identified the suspects as Yuk Lai Yu, with aliases Yuk Lai Sze and Anna Sy Balmeo, 72, an inmate of Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Mandaluyong City since 2000 for drug charges; and her daughter Diana Yu Uy, 40.

Aquino said that around 4 a.m. on Monday, operatives of PDEA Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES), National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) and BuCor conducted a greyhound operation against the older Yu’s detention cell.

Seized during the operation were 135 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, concealed in 27 pieces of panty liners, worth PHP945,000, two kilograms of suspected shabu contained in plastic packs and jars worth PHP4.5 million, one million pieces of capsules containing suspected dangerous drugs, one million pieces of empty capsules, 19 checks amounting to PHP633,593, one blank check book, five ATM cards, one bank account with a deposit of PHP1,501,934.36 under the name of Anna Sy Balmeo, five mobile phones, one tablet, one pocket WIFI, unused foils and empty sachets and cash in various foreign currencies.

Three hours later, the same operating unit arrested Diana Yu during the implementation of a search warrant in Unit 3D, 3rd floor, Jy J Condominium, No. 867 General Solano Street, San Miguel, Manila were seized two kilos of suspected shabu worth PHP10 million were confiscated during the operation.

“Diana is using her rice retailing business in her condominium located only a stone’s throw away from the gate of Malacañang Complex, as front to conceal her illegal drug activities. This shows how bold the suspect is,” Aquino said.

Reports revealed that Diana has special VIP access inside CIW while visiting her imprisoned mother.

“She is one of the contracted suppliers of rice in the catering facilities of the correction where packs of shabu, and other drug contrabands were secretly stashed,” he said, adding that investigations are underway to determine why the seized drug evidence found their way inside the prison.

The PDEA chief immediately ordered the conduct of drug tests to 180 CIW employees.

He noted that this is the first time in CIW history that drug law enforcement units were able to conduct search and seizure operation inside the correctional facilities.

The two suspects will be charged for violation of Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. An additional case for violation of Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia) will also be filed against the older Yu.

All the seized bank accounts and checks during the operation will be forwarded to the Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and will be subjected for financial investigation and verification because of the big amount of transactions.