P173.4 million shabu stashed in tea bags seized

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics officers confiscated 25.5 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P173.4 million in Quezon City yesterday.

The drugs were recovered from Rodgene Umali, 36, who was arrested by operatives of the Quezon City Police District during a sting along Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue in Barangay San Antonio at around 6:30 a.m., according to QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

Umali was nabbed after he allegedly negotiated a deal with a police officer for an unspecified amount of shabu.

Police said the bulk of the illegal drugs was found in the suspect’s Nissan Terra sport utility vehicle.

Stashed in Chinese tea bags, Torre said the drugs were lumped together in a sack.

“Ipinupuslit dito gamit ang cover ng mga legal items gaya ng tsaa,” Torre told reporters.

Police have been monitoring Umali’s activities for two months before he was captured.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the suspect’s source of illegal drugs, according to Torre.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo warned drug dealers to stop their nefarious activities or face arrest.

“Kami po ay nakikiusap sa lahat ng mga involved in illegal drugs, tigilan na po natin ito,” Estomo said in a statement.

Umali is being held on charges of drug trafficking.

On Tuesday, three persons were arrested in Barangay Bagbag, Quezon City during a sting that yielded P102,000 worth of shabu.

They were Emmanuel Mesina, 58; Lorna Ponteres, 41, and Marissa Bautista, 40.

Lt. Col. Von June Nuyda, Novaliches police station commander, said the suspects were collared at Kingspoint Subdivision for alleged possession of 15 grams of shabu.

Aside from drugs, police said they also confiscated a cell phone and a motorcycle from the suspects.

In Caloocan, police recovered over P10 million worth of shabu from a drug suspect.

Mark Anthony Ferrer, 38, was arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the local police during a sting in Barangay 177, North Caloocan.

Ferrer allegedly yielded 1.6 kilos of shabu valued at P10.8 million.