BI-NAIA arrested SoKor fugitive wanted for illegal drugs

Officers from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reported on Thursday the arrest of a South Korean wanted in his country for illegal drugs.

In a report submitted to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the suspect was identified as Son Hyunbeen, 37, who was arrested on 15 December upon his arrival at NAIA Terminal 1 on board via a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand.

According to BI-NAIA officials, after Son's name triggered a positive hit in Interpol's 24-hour global police communications system, which is connected to the BI's database of wanted foreign criminals, he was caught by the immigration officer handling his arrival procedures.

The arrested Korean was later transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he will remain until he is deported.

Information from Interpol's National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila states that on 23 October 2020, Son was charged with illegally distributing psychiatric medications at the Suwon District Court in South Korea. The court consequently issued an order for Son's arrest.

Authorities in South Korea claim that between May and August of 2017, Son and three other individuals were involved in a conspiracy to bring illegal methamphetamine substances into Korea from Cambodia.

They allegedly sold the drugs to Korean customers 251 times, from which they earned an estimated 157 million won or more than 6.7 million pesos.

Tansingco lauded Son's arrest, as he described the fugitive as a menace to society due to his involvement in illegal drugs.

According to the BI chief, since his existence in the nation is against our national interest, he should be removed as an unwelcome foreigner. In addition, the bureau will permanently bar him from entering the nation and place his name on the BI blacklist.