Cops seize P200K illegal drugs sent via courier service

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines  — Pushers are now using the courier service for their illegal drug trade as the police operatives here confiscated an estimated P200,000 worth of suspected shabu Tuesday afternoon from a package sent from Manila to this city.

The seizure came after a few days of surveillance that the police conducted after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen on the transaction deal via the courier service.

The police armed with a search warrant, issued by Judge Rosendo Bandal, Jr. of the Negros Oriental RTC-Branch 34 in the city, proceeded to the courier services' branch along Real Street and search the package consigned to Rellen Merced, a resident of Brgy. Calindagan, this city.

The police first went to the house of Rellen to inform her of the impending search of the package consigned to her, but her daughter told the operatives she was not around and could not be contacted by phone.

During the inspection, the police found four heat-sealed transparent plastic packs containing suspected shabu powder/granules in an air mail envelop wrapped in carbon paper and placed inside a yellow plastic casserole toy.

The children's garments and toys were also among the items inside the package that bore the name of the sender, Rica Rose Merced, of Landayan in San Pedro, Laguna, police report said.

Both Rellen and Rica Rose are now placed on the suspects' list, as the police have prepared to file formal charges against them. The two are still at large. (FREEMAN)