Suspected International Drug Syndicate Member Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in the Philippines

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A Chinese-Malaysian national accused of membership in a global drug trafficking organization has been handed a life sentence for possessing methamphetamine with an estimated street value of P10 billion, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced.

Judge Michael Real of the Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 98 found Kong Ket Koon guilty of violating Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to PDEA, Kong is affiliated with Sam Gor, an international drug syndicate believed to be responsible for the large-scale disposal of methamphetamine in bodies of water near Bataan, Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan.

Authorities apprehended Kong on June 20 after discovering his fishing vessel loaded with methamphetamine worth approximately P10 billion in Subic, Zambales.

Apart from the life sentence, the court imposed a P10 million fine on Kong and ordered the forfeiture of his fishing boat to the government.

PDEA Chief Isagani Nerez praised the swift judicial process, describing the conviction as a significant milestone in the government’s campaign against international narcotics trafficking. He emphasized that prompt and decisive court rulings are crucial to bolstering public confidence in the justice system.