P82.1-M shabu seized, 8 held

Authorities seized 12 kilos of suspected shabu worth P81.6 million and arrested four men during an operation at the Batangas Port in Barangay Sta. Clara, Batangas City, on 7 October.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) also resulted in the recovery of a vehicle, cellular phone, identification cards and ATM cards.

The suspects, all male and aged 18, 29, 30 and 41, were identified as residents of Malate, Manila, and Maluso, Basilan. The inventory of the seized evidence was completed at about 9 a.m., after which the suspects and evidence were turned over to PDEA for proper disposition and the filing of charges.

The four face possible charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, covering the transportation and possession of dangerous drugs.

Meanwhile, four individuals, including a suspected drug den maintainer, were arrested and P532,200 worth of shabu was seized in separate anti-drug operations in Cebu and Bohol on 7 October.

In Cebu City, PDEA Cebu City Team and Cebu City Police Office Station 7 arrested alias Benhur, 42, in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bulacao. Seized was about 50 grams of shabu valued at P340,000, along with buy-bust money and a cellular phone.

In Loon, Bohol, a separate operation led by PDEA Bohol, the local police and Bohol Maritime Police resulted in the dismantling of a drug den in Barangay Cuasi.

Arrested were alleged drug den maintainer alias Princess, 35; cohort alias Eric, 23; and Eric’s brother and alleged drug den visitor, alias Mel, 24. Authorities recovered about 19 grams of shabu worth P192,200, buy-bust money, a cellphone and drug paraphernalia.

All suspects will face charges under RA 9165.