Metro shabu supply drops to all-time low

Shabu supply in Metro Manila has dropped to an all-time low following the recent neutralization by the anti-narcotics unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) of shabu laboratories and the confiscation of close to 1,000 kilos of illegal drugs.

But Narcotics Group (NarcGroup) chief Director Efren Fernandez is not yet ready to raise the flag of victory. "The reaction of prices and supply of shabu in the streets would be determined in the next few days," said Fernandez, pointing out that there might be other shabu laboratories either in Metro Manila or in the provinces which are not yet detected by the police.

The Star learned that drug pushers and users have a hard time getting their illegal drugs supply because their sources have ran out of stocks.

Drug users are presently monitored spending or whiling away their time playing billiards, darts, video karera and other electronic video games.

The low shabu supply was confirmed by local police Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) who have resorted to raiding jueteng and other illegal gambling dens, including confiscation of video karera machines, because they allegedly have gone out of targets. Unscrupolous DEU operatives are reportedly harassing former drug pushers, who have returned to normal lives, extorting a few extra bucks.

The police since late last year have neutralized shabu laboratories in Pasig City and San Juan and confiscated close to 1,000 kilos of shabu in Quezon, Zambales, Manila and Pasay City, respectively.

Fernandez admitted that the series of police operations have dramatically reduced the shabu supply in Metro Manila.

But his men, the NarcGroup chief said, are still on the alert following reports that the local counterparts of the Chinese triads are out to flood the streets with shabu before the Chinese New Year on Feb. 12.

"We received reports that other bigtime drug syndicates have lied low following our recent successes," Fernandez said. "They are closely monitoring our follow-up operations and had been adopting a wait-and-see attitude."

Fernandez’s theory was echoed by Senior Superintendent Nicasio Radovan, head of the Metro Manila Drug Enforcement Group (MMDEG) saying the shabu supply in the metropolis hit an all-time low the past few days.

"It is evident that shabu supply is now very low compared to the figures listed the previous years," Radovan told The Star. "What we are recovering the past few days are only small quantities of shabu from street-level pushers."

Despite this positive development, Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay said there will be no let-up in the police effort to rid the metropolis of shabu.

"The shabu supply has gone low but this does not mean that we will now lower our guard in the fight against illegal drugs," said Aglipay.

Aglipay has directed the five police district directors to extend full support to the NarcGroup’s effort to discover "more shabu laboratories in Metro Manila."