P11-M shabu hidden in coconuts seized

MANILA, Philippines -  Around a kilo of shabu with an estimated street value of P11 million hidden in coconuts was seized from two visitors at the Dumaguete City District Jail on Sunday.

Chief Inspector Prizel Arevalo, city jail warden, said two men delivered at least 30 coconuts as well as cans of fruit cocktail and milk supposedly to make halo-halo to an inmate facing drug charges.

Arevalo said jail officers became suspicious because at least six coconuts had been opened.

“Upon opening the coconuts, jail officers found four packs of shabu,” he said.

Arevalo said the seized drugs were brought to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for disposition.

At the Lanton City Jail in General Santos, anti-narcotics operatives seized around 30 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P225,000 during Operation Greyhound on Monday.

Mertalla Renante, 42; Artigo Hernando, 53, and Jolly Serafin Villodres, 56, are facing charges for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

At least 24 assorted weapons and P12,000 in cash were also recovered from the inmates.

Drug suspect slain

Meanwhile, Jayzon Corpuz was killed in a sting in Barangay Parang, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Sur at around 1:35 a.m. on Monday. The fatality allegedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer.

Five others were arrested for possession of 20 kilos of dried marijuana leaves estimated to cost P1.4 million in Sta. Maria, Bulacan yesterday.

Nine were nabbed in stings in San Jose del Monte, Bocaue and San Ildefonso also in Bulacan, three in Naga and Caramoan, Camarines Sur and one in Mankayan, Benguet on Monday.

John Michael Garcia and Kindra Gail Otinguey, alleged members of the Sadeek drug ring based in Baguio City, were nabbed in San Fernando City, La Union on Monday night. The alleged leader of the group, Christian Alviar, escaped. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Jun Elias, Ric Sapnu, Francis Elevado, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe