P102 million shabu seized in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics officers seized around 15 kilos of shabu with a street value of P102 million in Malate, Manila on Monday night.

The illegal drugs were confiscated from Chinese citizens Bin Hu, 42, and Jiankang Liang, 40, who are being held by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on charges of drug trafficking.

PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said the suspects were apprehended during a sting in a parking lot in Barangay 720 at around 6:45 p.m.

The duo allegedly negotiated a deal with a PDEA agent posing as a drug buyer for a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million.

The suspects also yielded a cell phone they used during the transaction.

The sting followed the seizure of 260 kilos of shabu valued at P1.7 billion from 2 Chinese men in separate operations in Quezon City and Dasmariñas, Cavite on Sunday.

Meanwhile, lawmen intercepted P1.27 million worth of shabu in Quezon City, also on Monday.

Carreon said around 1,000 grams of shabu valued at P1.1 million placed in a pack of Chinese tea bags were recovered from Richard Allan de Asis, 40, a resident of Muntinlupa City.

The street price of shabu is usually set at P6.8 million per kilo, according to PDEA. Carreon did not elaborate on the difference in street price estimates.

The suspect’s vehicle and a cell phone were seized from him.

Around 25 grams of shabu with a street value of P170,000 were seized in Barangay Greater Fairview at around 9:30 a.m., according to Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Remus Medina.

He said the illegal drugs were recovered from Jenneve Bolgado, 30, and Arnold Cruz, 30, both residents of Caloocan City.

Taguig drug den busted

In Taguig, the alleged maintainer of a drug den and seven others were arrested in a sting yesterday.

Alfatha Sumandal, 21, was named a high-value target for allegedly maintaining the drug den in Barangay Western Bicutan, Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said.

Police also arrested Norhadz Ali, 21; Arnold Milgaril, 40; Fernan Rodriguez, 27; Richard Manansala, 25; Paul Rodriguez, 22; Ernesto Pascual, 39, and Tony Watamama, 50.

Seized from the suspects were 51 grams of shabu valued at P346,800. – Neil Jayson Servallos