PDEA urged to dig deeper into operations of ‘drug queen,’ daughter

FILE: House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairman Robert Ace Barbers (Photo: Ace Barbers/Facebook)

MANILA — A congressman on Wednesday urged the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to dig deeper into the modus operandi and illegal drugs sources of convicted drug queen Yu Yuk Lai and her daughter Diane Yu Uy.

In a statement, House Dangerous Drugs Committee Chairman Robert Ace Barbers said the PDEA should pursue a deeper probe to identify the “outside contacts” of the mother-daughter tandem in their crystal meth, or shabu, trafficking.

On Monday, operatives seized PHP15.4 million worth of shabu in two successive raids conducted inside the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City where Yu Yuk Lai is incarcerated and a condominium unit near Malacañang Palace owned by her daughter Diana Yu Uy.

“I am urging PDEA chief Aaron Aquino to conduct a deeper probe into the modus operandi of the mother-and-daughter tandem — find out who their cohorts are, how they facilitate the importation of illegal drugs, and who their contacts are for local drug distribution,” Barbers said.

According to Aquino, Diana is using her rice retailing business, in a condominium unit located near Malacanang, as front to conceal her illegal drug activities.
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,” Aquino said.

Barbers said the PDEA should look into the possibility that Diana is also involved in rice smuggling where shabu and illegal drugs are being stashed and concealed to avoid detection.

“The data that could be derived from their seized cellular phones and other communications gadget could determine who their contacts are and their modus operandi,” he said.

The House leader also urged the Philippine National Police to probe why Diana had been provided several VIP security escorts reportedly provided by the PNP Police Security Protection Group and the Presidential Security Group.

“Ang tindi naman nito, the PNP is providing VIP security escort to a suspected drug lord,” he added.

The Yus are facing a criminal complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)