P122.4 million shabu seized in Makati, Muntinlupa

MANILA, Philippines — Law enforcers confiscated around 18 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in stings in Makati and Muntinlupa on Monday.

Around 16 kilos of shabu with a street value of P108.8 million, stashed in Chinese tea bags, were reportedly confiscated from suspected pushers Kemin Manisi, 49, and Abdulrahim Ysmael, 28, along Kalayaan Avenue in Barangay West Rembo, Makati at around 9:40 p.m., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas said.

Manisi and Ysmael are considered high-value individuals in the illegal drug trade, according to Sinas, who told reporters in a Viber message that “PNP operations are focused on HVIs and recovery of large amounts of shabu or illegal drugs.”

The drugs were placed in tea bags labeled Daguanyin, according to Sinas. An investigation is ongoing to identify the source of the shabu.

Quoting a police report, Sinas said lawmen from the Makati police’s drug enforcement unit negotiated with the suspects for a pack of shabu in exchange for P1 million.

In Muntinlupa, Liezel Julhasan, 40; Donnalyn Julhasan 21; Denver Prolahe, 19; Sharifa Kuly, 28; and Rovelyn Enot, 40, were arrested in a sting set up in Barangay Tunasan at around 9:05 p.m. by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said around two kilos of shabu were confiscated from the suspects, who are being held on charges of drug trafficking.

An investigation is underway to determine the suspects’ source of illegal drugs.