P2M Worth of Shabu Seized, Two Alleged Traffickers Arrested in Batangas City

Anti-narcotics operatives arrested two suspected drug traffickers and seized more than P2 million worth of suspected shabu (crystal methamphetamine) in a buy-bust operation in Batangas City early Friday, police said. The Calabarzon police said operatives from the Batangas City Drug Enforcement Unit, with assistance from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Batangas, arrested the suspects, identified only by their aliases “Sarah” and “Regie,” in Barangay Balagtas at around 2:29 a.m. Authorities said the suspects allegedly sold P400,000 worth of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer. Recovered from the suspects were two knot-tied plastic sachets containing about 300 grams of suspected shabu. Based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s valuation of P6,800 per gram, the confiscated illegal drugs were estimated to be worth P2.04 million. Police identified “Sarah” as a suspected high-value individual (HVI) involved in the illegal drug trade, while “Regie” was listed as an alleged street-level drug pusher. Authorities also confiscated a mobile phone believed to contain evidence of illegal drug transactions. Investigators are examining the device to determine the source of the seized drugs. The suspects are under police custody and will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.