Two Chinese nationals were killed by Philippines police during an anti-drug operation in Tanza, Cavite in which illegal drugs worth almost two million pesos (US$38,142) were seized.
According to the Aaron Aquino, director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the two suspects were identified as Vincent Du Lim and Hong Li Wen, both from Fujian, China, Philippine Star reported.
Authorities found 274 kilograms of methamphetamines in boxes stored in a warehouse along Antero Soriano Highway in Barangay Amaya I. Aquino said the two suspects were part of a gang who most likely smuggled the drugs using a ship and dropped them somewhere off the coast of the Ilocos region.
The boxes were then thought to have been fished out and transported by boat to Cavite. Aquino said most of the boxes found in the warehouse were still wet.
“This operation started with a tip from a confidential informant,” Aquino said.
During the operation, policemen posed as buyers and got into a shootout with the suspects. There were no other people caught inside the warehouse. An investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the drug operation.