P598-M shabu intercepted in Samar

They were supposed to take a boat from Calbayog City in going to Cebu but found out that there were no trips scheduled on that day.

TACLOBAN CITY — An attempt to transport to Cebu 88 kilos of shabu with a street value of almost P600 million was foiled when the two vehicles transporting them were intercepted in Gandara town in Samar Province Thursday afternoon.

Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Regional Drug Enforcement Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Samar Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and Gandara Municipal Police Station intercepted the two vehicles in a checkpoint along the Barangay Tagnao of Gandara town at 4:30 in the afternoon.

The suspects said they picked up the shabu at SM North EDSA and in Imus, Cavite. There were three passengers in each of the two vehicles but the suspects say they do not know personally the people in the other vehicle.

The six arrested suspects who were all from Cebu were identified as Cesar Uy, Jarred Axcel Elaran, Steven Perez, Leonard de los Reyes, Elbert Abella and Jeralou Rapuela.

The suspects say they only got to know each other when they met at Coral Reef resort in Calbayog City on the instruction of their bosses who they were not able to meet personally. They claimed they only got instructions through mobile phones.

They were supposed to take a boat from Calbayog City in going to Cebu but found out that there were no trips scheduled on that day so they instead decided to drive all the way to Ormoc City hoping to take a boat to Cebu.

The suspects admitted it was already their second shipment and that they were promised to receive P50,000 each if the transport is successful. They were given an initial payment of P20,000 to cover for their expenses while on their trip.

Suspects were brought to Gandara Police Station while awaiting for the filing of case for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They were expected to be brought to PNP Regional Office for inquest proceedings on Friday.