NBI seizes P5-M shabu at old drug market

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently arrested an alleged big-time peddler of illegal drugs and seized P5 million worth of shabu at an area previously raided by Pasig City police for being a shabu flea market.

NBI Director Nestor Mantaring said yesterday the operation conducted by their Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (AIDTF) led to the arrest of 24-year-old Abulkair Luminog, alias Mayor Sultan, of Pasig Green Park Village in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City and the discovery of close to one kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu.

Asked if Luminog was affiliated with alleged shabu flea market operator Amin Imam Boratong, Mantaring said while Luminog was arrested in the same barangay where the shabu flea market was previously located, it is not certain if he belongs to Boratong’s group.

But he assured the public that “Luminog is a notorious drug dealer. His operations are in Cavite and Pasig City.”

NBI-AIDTF deputy commander Head Agent Roel Bolivar added that, “the accused was directly transacting with the suppliers, who are believed to be Chinese nationals. He no longer has to pass through any middleman. This is the first time he has been arrested.”

He added that there has been a shortage in supply of shabu, prompting peddlers to jack up its street value.

“Before a five gram (sachet) of shabu would cost P18,000 to P20,000 but nowadays, it could fetch P25,000,” Bolivar said.

The NBI started its one-month surveillance and test buy operations after receiving information that Luminog has been engaged in the selling of shabu. They secured a search warrant from Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 33 Judge Reynaldo Ros.

Together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Pasig City Philippine National Police (PNP), they served the search warrant at Luminog’s house.

They reportedly found 998.4933 grams of shabu packed in 10 small plastic bags. NBI chemists said the shabu is of “class B” quality but Mantaring said they have yet to complete the examination of the recovered substances to determine its “purity.”

Authorities charged Luminog, who is in the custody of the NBI, with violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before the Pasig City prosecutor’s office. No bail was recommended.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) raided and dismantled the 2,000-square meter shabu flea market at the Mapayapa Compound in Barangay Sto. Tomas, Pasig City on Feb. 10, 2006.

Boratong has allegedly been involved in the illegal drug trade since 1997 and, according to a deed of sale, purchased the lot in Pasig City in August 2005. He reportedly earned P900 million from the drug business.

Boratong and his wife, She­ryl Molera, were arrested on Nov. 21, 2006 in Makati City. They are currently detained at the NBI.