Reckless driver yields shabu cache

Four kilos of shabu were discovered yesterday afternoon in Valenzuela City by the police and a highway patrol unit of the Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC), hidden under the seat of the car of a 23-year-old man who tried to run away from authorities who stopped him for reckless driving.

Orly Lanuza of the PNCC said Cosain Macapintal, a native of Marawi City, and residing at 645 Echague St., San Miguel, Manila, ended up in the Montefalco Hospital in Bulacan after his car crashed into another vehicle as he tried to escape from the pursuing highway patrol unit. Macapintal suffered severe head and body injuries, Lanusa said.

Senior Superintendent Vidal Querol, Northern Police District Director, said the seized shabu had an estimated street value of P8 million. He added that the suspect was with an unidentified male companion who eluded arrest.

Macapintal and his companion were driving a white Mitsubishi Lancer (DRR-916) from Bulacan to Manila when they were flagged down by authorities for reckless driving along the North Luzon Expressway at around 4 p.m.

However, instead of pulling over, Macapintal sped off, prompting a high speed chase. The PNCC North Expressway patrol immediately radioed the Valenzuela police for assistance, Querol said.

Lanuza said that at the Valenzuela exit, Macapintal allegedly made a sharp U-turn to go back to Bulacan. Upon reaching Canumay, the suspect made another U-turn to go back to Manila but crashed into a brown Nissan California. The suspect’s vehicle was a total wreck.

As authorities inspected Macapintal’s vehicle they unexpectedly discovered the bundles of shabu hidden under the from seat, Lanuza said.