Raids on detained alleged drug queen, daughter yields P15.4m worth of shabu: PDEA

November 6, 2017

An alleged drug queen detained at a women’s correctional facility and her daughter were arrested by combined elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) following separate anti-drug operations on Monday.

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

Uy was arrested in a condominium at General Solano street, San Miguel which is near Malacanang Palace.

Seized from the two operations were a total of P15.4 million, PDEA said.

PDEA Public Information Office Director Derrick Carreon, in a text message to the Daily Manila Shimbun, said PO3 Walter Vidad from the Police Security and Protection Group was in the area when Uy was arrested.

"We will investigate if Vidad has really been detailed to her since 2013. The result of the investigation will be given to the PNP," Carreon said in a phone interview.

At 4 am, joint operatives of PDEA Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES) under Director Levi Ortiz, PNP National Capital Region Police Office and BuCOR conducted a greyhound operation against the older Yu inside Correctional.

This led to the discovery of 135 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, concealed in 27 pieces of panty liners, with an estimated market value of P945,000, two kilograms of suspected shabu contained in plastic packs and jars worth P4.5 million, one million pieces of capsules containing suspected dangerous drugs, one million pieces of empty capsules, 19 checks amounting to P633,593, one blank check book, five ATM cards, one bank account with a deposit of P1,501,934.36 under the name of Anna Sy Balmeo, five mobile phones, one tablet, one pocket Wi-Fi, unused foils and empty sachets and cash in various foreign currencies, said PDEA.

Three hours later, the same operating unit arrested Diana Uy during the implementation of a search warrant in Unit 3D, 3^rd floor, Jy J Condominium, No. 867 General Solano Street, San Miguel, Manila. Two kilos of suspected shabu worth P10 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 investigation is underway to determine why the seized drug evidence found their way inside the prison.

Aquino immediately ordered the conduct of drug tests to 180 CIW employees.

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 women 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. DMS