Suspects stash shabu on household altar

MANILA, Philippines — Two men were arrested in Caloocan City Friday night after sachets of shabu were found on their household altar.

Jimmy Ausa and his uncle Nolan Manansala were arrested at their house in Barangay 14 by virtue of a search warrant issued by the Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 127, according to city police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo.

Police officers recovered 12 sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects. At least five sachets were hidden in a cigarette box placed on the household altar, police said.

Ausa was arrested after attempting to escape by jumping out the window, Modequillo said.

Police recovered from the suspects’ house a .38 caliber revolver, four bullets, two improvised lighters and a tooter among other drug paraphernalia.

They are set to face criminal charges for  possession of illegal drugs, as well as illegal possession of firearms, Modequillo said, adding that the two admitted to using drugs but denied selling shabu.

In Quezon City, suspected dealers Dennis Mateo 37, and his partner, Marivel Basco, 42, were arrested in a sting in Barangay Old Balara at around 2:15 a.m. yesterday.

Carlo Babiera, 24, and Jonathan Ciriaco, 32, were arrested after they were caught using shabu in the alleged dealers’ home.

Eleven sachets of shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia were confiscated in the operation.

Wilfredo Anihal, 44 and Merry Ann Diaz were arrested in another sting in the same barangay at around 8 p.m. on Friday. Seven sachets of shabu were seized from them.