PDEA links POGOs to drug trade in warehouse seizure

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) revealed potential links between illegal drug trade and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), citing a warehouse seizure in Mexico, Pampanga, on September 24, 2023.

During a public hearing by the House of Representatives quad committee, PDEA Deputy Director General Renato Gumban presented a matrix showing an intricate network linking POGOs to drug syndicates and corporate fraud.

The investigation, which began with the seizure of 560 kg. of shabu valued at PHP3.6 billion in a warehouse owned by Willie Ong, also known as Cai Qimeng, uncovered ties between Empire 999 Realty and other interconnected companies engaged in illicit activities.

Among these were Golden Sun 999 Realty and Development Corp., linked to Rose Nono Lin's controversial Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. and Michael Yang, a former presidential economic adviser who was implicated for handling logistics and financial operations for drug syndicates.

Further investigations revealed that Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc., a POGO operator in Bamban, Tarlac, is a key player linked to suspicious financial dealings involving entities like QJJ Farm and RMCE Metal Products Trading Co., previously tied to money laundering activities by convicted Chinese drug lord Peter Co.