Police seize shabu mixed with ammonia

CEBU, Philippines - In a recent anti-drug operation, the Cebu City Police Office Intelligence Branch recovered 50 small packs of shabu believed to be mixed with ammonium nitrate, which is usually used in fertilizers and improvised bombs, in L. Flores Street, Sitio Lawis, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.  

Cebu City Intelligence Branch head, Chief Insp. Romeo Santander said they have recovered 50 small packs of suspected shabu from suspected drug courier Eugene “Noel” Tortor, 21, a native of Getafe Bohol, around 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon.    

“They were caught in the act doing the transaction nga nagdala siya og blue bag kun asa ang mga drugs ug two pack of ammonia nakuha,” he said 

Santander said they believe the ammonia was mixed with shabu to increase its weight and fool buyers.

Santander quoted Tortor saying “Naay usahay sir nga amo na i-sagol (ammonia) aron mo-bugat ang timbang.”

He, however, said the 50 small packs of suspected shabu will be subject to laboratory examination to determine if it contains ammonia.

“Amo nalang gihuwat ang crime lab regarding kun naa ba gyud content nga ammonium kay amo mang gi-specific ang request...pero base sa statement sa dinakpan, naa gyud mix ang mga shabu,” he said.

The intelligence office is currently coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to help them with the investigation.

Santander said that aside from ammonia “fillers” drug pushers also mix ground fluorescent bulbs with shabu to make it heavier. Using shabu with high concentrations of these two substances might lead to death, he added.

Tortor said that the drugs came from his aunt, a certain “Nelly”, who lives in the said place. He was supposed to give them to a certain “JR” who fled when he was apprehended. 

He claims that he had no choice but to enter the illegal drug trade so he can have enough money to process his documents for work.

When operatives from the CIB went to Nelly’s residence, the house was already empty.

Aside from the seized packs of shabu from Tortor which are priced at around P15,000 in the street, suspected drug money amounting to P2,600 was also recovered from the suspect.

When inhaled, ammonium nitrate can cause irritation in the respiratory tract which will greatly affect breathing.

When it is ingested it larger quantities can cause gastro-related-illnesses. In small quantities it can sometimes cause depression, headache, weakness and mental impairment. – (FREEMAN)