Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2005
Source: Manila Standard (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Manila Standard
Contact:  http://www.manilastandardonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3450
Author: Joel dela Torre
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Death+Penalty (Death Penalty)

CALOOCAN COURT METES OUT DEATH ON 2 DRUGGIES

A Caloocan City Regional Trial Court judge yesterday sentenced two
Chinese nationals to death through the lethal injection for
trafficking in drugs more than four years ago.

Judge Victorino Alvaro of RTC Branch 120, found Leman Chua, 37, and
Zhangwei Lu, 31, both of the People's Republic of China, were also
fined P500,000 each.

Chua and Lu were said to be members of a criminal "triad" based in
Hong Kong. The syndicate operated in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and
Valenzuela at the time of the arrests.

National Bureau of Investigation agents arrested the two during a
sting operation inside Ang's rented unit in a building on M.H. del
Pilar Street in Caloocan City on Aug. 2, 2001.

Acting as poseur-buyer, NBI operative Eric Isidoro contacted and met
Ang around 2 p.m. that day inside the building. Isidoro testified that
it was Ang who opened the door and allowed him inside.

When the NBI man asked for shabu, Ang allegedly told him that he was
out of stock and pointed to another man who can give and deliver them
the illegal stuff.

Thirty minutes later, Isidoro said Lu arrived carrying a plastic bag
containing 1,092 kilos of shabu.

After the payoff, other NBI agents posted at the vicinity swooped down
on the office and arrested the two.

Lu denied he was into drug trafficking and claimed he was only framed
up.

He said he was only driving his car near a gasoline station on 8th
Avenue when eight armed men accosted him and brought him to Ang's place.

But the court found the evidence heavier than the alibi of the accused
thus sending them to the death chamber. 
- ---