5 nabbed for P5.5 million shabu in Caloocan, Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Five persons were arrested and a total of P5.5 million worth of shabu seized in separate stings in Caloocan and Quezon City since Friday night.

Joanalyn Tayao, allegedly the top pusher in Caloocan’s drug watchlist, was arrested with two others – Roman Mariano and Noraiza Lomabao – during a sting along 8th Avenue in Barangay 59.

They were apprehended after allegedly selling five grams of shabu for P11,000.

Police later recovered a metal box containing 18 sachets of shabu weighing 450 grams with a market value of P3.5 million, according to the Station Drug Enforcement Unit chief Senior Inspector Cecilio Tomas Jr.

Meanwhile, Martin Morales, 21, and Paulo Morales, 18, were arrested and around 500 grams of shabu, valued at P2.5 million, were confiscated in a sting along Camaro street in Barangay Greater Fairview at around 1 a.m. yesterday, according to a report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 5.

Aside from the shabu, police also seized a .38 caliber revolver, a weighing scale and drug paraphernalia from the suspects.

The two men allegedly sold P78,000 worth of shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer. They are facing charges of drug pushing and illegal possession of a firearm.

The QCPD has launched a manhunt for Maria Theresa Marcelo, Marlon Morales and Victorio Pascual Jr., who escaped in a Toyota Hi-Ace van.

In Marikina, Lucito Magsilang, 47; Evan Salvador; Louie Limbaga, and Roberto Cahanap were arrested in separate drug stings over the past two days. – Emmanuel Tupas