Canadian tagged in Batangas drug haul

MANILA, Philippines — A manhunt is underway for a Canadian linked to 1.4 tons of shabu with an estimated street value of P9.68 billion seized at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on Monday.

Joint police teams raided yesterday a house rented by the foreigner in Barangay Natipuan in Nasugbu, but the suspect was not around.

The operation was based on a search warrant issued by a local court for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police chief information officer, said probers received information that Ajalon Michael Zarate, the driver of the van who transported the shabu, had stayed in the house.

On Thursday, police said a private yacht was suspected to have transported the illegal drugs to Nasugbu.

Meanwhile, Batangas provincial prosecutor Lourdes Ramirez-Zapanta allayed fears amid speculation that the drug haul was reduced from nearly two tons to 1.4 tons.

Zapanta said initial figures were given prior to the final inventory.

P12.9 million shabu seized

In Pampanga, members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated a kilo of shabu valued at P6.8 million from Salahudin Amatonding, 29, in a sting in Barangay San Vicente in Bacolor on Thursday.

”High-value” suspect Benigno Perez, 39, was arrested in Barangay South in Ormoc City for possession of P2.72 million worth of shabu, Brig. Gen. Dionisio Bartolome Jr., police Drug Enforcement Group director, said.

In Cotabato City, reports from Area Police Command-Western Mindanao said Sampulna Amboto Mague, 52; Tammy Mague, 23; Armran Egga, 19, and a female minor were arrested after selling shabu worth P3.4 million to undercover anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Poblacion 2.