PDEA nabs Chinese for P272 milion shabu

MANILA, Philippines —  Anti-narcotics officers confiscated yesterday shabu with an estimated value of more than P272 million from a suspected Chinese drug dealer in Quezon City.

Cai Jia Zhu was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) along Maria Clara street in Banawe at around 10:30 a.m.

The PDEA officers were accompanied by operatives of Task Force NOAH and the Philippine National Police during the sting.

Cai allegedly yielded at least 40 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Police said they also confiscated the suspect’s driver’s license and a Toyota Corolla, which he allegedly used in the illegal drug trade.

PDEA chief Wilkins Villanueva, in an interview with reporters, said they have been monitoring the suspect’s activities for the past two months.

Cai is being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

More drug suspects fall

In Caloocan, a drug suspect was arrested for alleged possession of P340,000 worth of shabu before dawn yesterday.

Richard De la Cruz Jr. was nabbed while he was allegedly handing out the drugs to another suspect in Barangay 177 at around 1:30 a.m.

De la Cruz is said to be a high-value target on the drug watchlist, according to Northern Police District director Brig. Gen. Ulysses Cruz.

Police said they recovered shabu weighing 50 grams from the suspect.

In Malabon, Mamuel Lacanilao was collared during an anti-narcotics operation along C4 Road in Barangay Tañong yesterday.

Police said they seized more than three grams of shabu worth P21,556 from the suspect. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab