PDEA nabs 3 over shabu sale in La Union

ARINGAY, La Union  – Three  drug suppliers in Baguio City were busted at a beach house resort in La Union Monday morning.

Considered as the biggest haul yet of shabu by anti-drug agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera,  at least  25 grams  of shabu were  confiscated from Jongie Abanes  alias “Jhong”, 32, a resident of both  South Central Aurora Hill, Baguio City and San Agustin East, Agoo, La Union;  his live-in partner, Rizalyn Dagdag, 27, a saleslady, and native of Tubao, La Union, and resident of San Agustin East, Agoo and also in Francia Sur, Tubao, La Union; and her brother, Rizalde Dagdag, 29, native of Tubao, La Union and resident of Francia Sur, also in Tubao.

Besides the illegal drug,  also recovered from the suspects were  an Armscor caliber .38 revolver with five live bullets, and various paraphernalia for packaging and use of the prohibited drug.

The more or less 25 grams of shabu, which were packed in heat-sealed, transparent, plastic sachets,  were estimated to have a street value of P217,500.

Also seized from the trio were a digital pocket weighing scale for shabu; two tooters; a 15-inch long transparent tube; aluminum foil; stainless scissor; and other personal belongings.

The suspects are now facing violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26b (Conspiracy to Sell Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs), all of Republic Act (RA) 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002); and Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by RA 8294 and RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunitions), and the Election Gun Ban.

PDEA-Cordillera has earlier said shabu is fast becoming the drug of choice among traffickers compared to the highland-produced marijuana because shabu is easier to carry and commands a higher price.  - Artemio A. Dumlao