P50,000 Worth of Suspected Shabu Seized in Marinduque Drug Bust

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Authorities arrested a suspected drug peddler and seized nearly P50,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Gasan, Marinduque, on July 18. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Marinduque Provincial Office carried out the operation in Barangay Matandang Gasan. Authorities arrested the suspect after he allegedly sold a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing about 0.3 gram of suspected shabu, valued at P2,040, to a PDEA poseur-buyer. Operatives also recovered five additional sachets containing about seven grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P47,600, along with marked buy-bust money and other pieces of evidence. The seized items were marked, inventoried, and photographed at the scene in the presence of witnesses required under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act No. 9165, authorities said. The suspect remains under the custody of the Gasan Municipal Police Station and is facing charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, which penalize the illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs. The operation was coordinated with the Gasan Municipal Police Station and the Mimaropa regional police office. Mimaropa regional police director Brig. Gen. Christopher Dela Cruz said the police would continue working with partner agencies to disrupt the illegal drug trade while ensuring operations are conducted lawfully and with respect for the rights of all persons involved. /mcm