QCPD: Seized P20-M shabu for distribution in MM

MANILA, Philippines - The five kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu seized by authorities in a drug sting in Quezon City on Friday could have been meant for distribution in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, a police official said yesterday.

The shabu, with a street value of P20 million, confiscated from a Chinese man in Barangay Capitol Site was meant for distribution not only in Quezon City but also in other areas in the metropolis and Central Luzon, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said.

Pagdilao said the narcotics were of high grade, noting these were still in chunks and not yet in crystalline powder when seized.

 QCPD policemen led by Senior Inspector Roberto Razon confiscated the illegal drugs from Jiacheng Shi, also known as Joseph Sy and Boy Instik, 33, in a sting at the corner of Masaya and Maginhawa streets.

The suspect was arrested after he handed a kilo of shabu, which he priced at P1.5 million, to an undercover police officer.

Police officers recovered four one-kilo packs of shabu in Shi’s black Mazda sedan with license plate POA-949.

Pagdilao said the contraband was sold at a discount, noting that a kilo of shabu usually costs around P2 million.

He said Shi – a native of Fujian and currently staying in a condominium unit in Binondo, Manila – had been the subject of surveillance after he was identified to be the one delivering shabu at the barangay level.