Shipped from Manila: P81.6 million shabu seized in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Authorities scored big in the drug war after finding 12 kilos of shabu worth P81.6 million stashed in cases used to transport LED spotlights to Cebu from Manila.

A K9 unit spotted the shabu during random inspection at a warehouse in Mandaue City led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) afternoon on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

In coordination with the Cebu Port Authority, the three cases of LED spotlights were brought to Pier 3 in Cebu City for x-ray to confirm the presence of the drugs.

Authorities saw later that the packs of shabu were wrapped in tea bags with Chinese characters before placed inside the cases at four packs each case.

On-site screening test conducted by a PDEA chemist confirmed it was shabu that was in the packs.

PDEA-7 Director Levi Ortiz said they have already identified the shipper and consignee of the cases but specific information is being withheld for now while further investigation is being conducted.

Ortiz said the courier service may have passed through roads that did not have checkpoints, which was why the shipment made it successfully to Cebu.

"As of now, wala pa gyud tay information nadawat nga naa tay laboratory (of illegal drugs)… ug sa laing areas, wala pa sad tay nakuha nga information. Kini nga mga droga, lagmit gikan ni sa ubang nasud," Ortiz said on Saturday night.

(For now, we don’t have information that we have a laboratory… we also have not received information from other areas. It is possible that these drugs came from abroad.)

Ortiz credited the successful operation partly to intelligence monitoring and information sharing between PDEA and the community, as well as their counterparts in the Philippine National Police. 

"And in the community, apil na ang nagtrabaho sa courier service, sa kana ug kinsay nakabalo nga naay illegal nga gipanghimo nga musumbong sila. Ang information madawat nato, mao na ato lihokon," said Ortiz.

(In the community, including those working in the courier service, if they know there is something illegal going on, they should report. We will act on the report.)

In a press release yesterday, PDEA said the packs of shabu were “brought thereafter to PDEA RO VII Laboratory Section for a confirmatory examination and for proper disposition.”

Good dog

Meanwhile, Ajur, the dog that sniffed out the shabu at the warehouse, earned praises from netizens after The Freeman posted his photos on Facebook following the operation.

As of 5 p.m. on Sunday, the post reached 347,116 Facebook users after being shared at least 1,800 times. The photos were viewed at least 32,545 times.

At least 7,200 netizens reacted to the post positively with majority giving the heart reaction, and many commending the dog’s performance.

Facebook user Bonilie Alcoseba wrote:

“Very good job Aljur! be healthy and safe as well as to all of your comrades.”

Netizen Christopher Ampog Larosa also said:

“Daghan jud sya na-save nga mga life keep up the good work k9 aljur I salute you.”

Other Facebook users also said the dog deserves treats for a good job.

“Wow what a good boy! This doggo deserves lots of treats!” says user Nell Litonjua.

“Aljur deserve a treat. Lotsa treats. Good boooy!” says netizen Don Johnson Torayno.

Another Facebook user, Rich Tan, also hopes that Aljur ends up with a family once he retires from police service.

“Good job aljur… you deserve a delicious meal. I hope when the day comes na mu retire na si aljur I hope his handler will adopt and take good care of him,” she says. — Romeo D. Marantal, JMO (FREEMAN)