Cebu City.
CEBU CITY, Philippines – A suspected drug smuggler from South Korea, who apparently fled here to elude arrest in his home country, was arrested on Tuesday, October 24.
Choi Sun Hyeok, 56, was arrested in his residence in Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City by operatives from the Fugitive Search Unit, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.
In a statement, BI said Choi is facing an arrest warrant from the Changwon District Court for drug-related charges.
The suspected drug smuggler from South Korea was also believed to be a member of a big-time drug syndicate called the MS alliance that reportedly smuggles narcotics to South Korea, they added.
For 2023, the group’s members allegedly smuggled in over 265 grams of methamphetamine by concealing the prohibited substance in their underwear.
BI’s arrest against Choi stemmed from a red notice the Interpol issued when their investigations confirmed the Korean fugitive’s whereabouts in the Philippines.
Aside from a warrant of arrest, the Korean government has also revoked Choi’s passport, making him an undocumented alien staying in the country, the bureau added.
“He will thus be immediately deported to Seoul after we have secured the necessary clearances for his departure,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
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