P75-M high-grade shabu seized in QC sting

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen seized 15 kilos of high-grade shabu with a street value of P75 million during a sting in Quezon City yesterday.

The bust, staged outside a restaurant in Barangay West Triangle, is connected to the confiscation of 10 kilos of shabu from a Chinese man earlier this month, said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano.

He said partners Grace Navalta and Anthony Pineda, as well as Jesselito Cabaguero, were arrested during yesterday’s sting.

Senior Inspector Roberto Razon, who heads the QCPD’s anti-drug unit, said that based on “physical examination” of the seized shabu, the drugs were of high quality.

“The drugs were being sold at a bargain,” Razon said, noting that the value of the contraband should have been P5 million per kilo.

According to Razon, a tipster told them about the alleged drug deals of Navalta and Pineda after the arrest of Chinese national Zhen Xu during another bust on Aug. 8, also in Quezon City.

This was preceded by another sting in Capas, Tarlac. Razon noted that Cabaguero is from Tarlac City.