P68 million shabu seized in Laguna

LAGUNA, Philippines —  Around 10 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P68 million were confiscated in a sting in San Pedro City on Friday night.

Col. Rogarth Campo, Laguna police director, said Ace Arciaga, 35;  Shamewayne Darvin, 19; Benz Gonzales, 21, and a 17-year-old were arrested.

Campo said personnel of the Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operation unit and local police conducted the operation in a subdivision in Barangay Landayan.

“I congratulate the operating units for this exceptional accomplishment. We will continue to work side by side with other units of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and law enforcement agencies within and outside the province upang tuluyan ng masawata ang ilegal na droga at ilegal na mga aktibidad sa ating probinsiya,” Campo said.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said the adult suspects used the minor in their drug peddling activities.

“We have to stop these criminals and protect our children from being used as drug runners,” Carlos said in a statement.

The minor was turned over to the social welfare and development office.

The other suspects are being held for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In Cavite, 50 grams of shabu valued at P345,000 were seized in Dasmarinas City on Friday afternoon.

Jalal Imam and Jamilah Binatara were apprehended in a drug bust in Barangay H-2 at around 5:20 p.m., according to a report of the Cavite police.

Meanwhile, police said Michael John Pascual and Kane Bradley Salang-oy were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Dinakan in Lubuagan, Kalinga on Wednesday.

The two reportedly yielded dried marijuana plants and bricks valued at P724,800. – Emmanuel Tupas, Artemio Dumlao