P3.1M Worth of Shabu Seized in Batangas, Quezon, Laguna Drug Busts

LUCENA CITY — Four suspected high-value drug traffickers were arrested on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 4 and 5) in separate buy-bust operations in the provinces of Batangas, Quezon and Laguna, resulting in the seizure of more than P3.1 million worth of “shabu” (crystal meth). In a report released Saturday, the Police Regional Office 4A (PRO-4A) said anti-narcotics operatives in Malvar, Batangas, arrested two suspects identified by their aliases “Dennis” and “Rea” at 12:10 a.m. Saturday after they allegedly sold P200,000 worth of shabu to an undercover police officer in Barangay Poblacion. Confiscated from the suspects were two knot-tied plastic bags containing suspected shabu weighing a total of 300 grams and valued at approximately P2,040,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s assessment. Police also recovered two mobile phones that will be examined for possible drug-related transactions. They also seized a Nissan Terra sport utility vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects in their alleged illegal drug trade. Both suspects are listed as high-value individuals (HVIs) in the illegal drug trade, a category that includes traffickers, financiers and members of drug syndicates. Anti-illegal drug operatives in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, apprehended “Teroy,” also an HVI, during a sting operation in Barangay Dita on Friday morning. Recovered from him were three heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 50.47 grams and worth about P343,196. Meanwhile, Quezon police chief Col. Romulo Albacea said in a report that members of the provincial drug enforcement unit arrested a suspect identified only as “Pato,” likewise an HVI, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Silangang Mayao in Lucena City early Friday morning. Police seized 105.9 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect, worth P720,120, as well as a motorcycle allegedly used by Pato in his illegal activities. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the source of the illegal drugs. All four suspects are in police custody and will face charges for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and other related offenses. INQ /mr