P40.8-million shabu found buried in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — At least six kilos of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with a street value of P40.8 million, were dug up outside a repair shop in Quezon City yesterday.

The repair shop owner, who has been occupying the property for 10 years, told police they were digging to install a drainpipe outside the shop along Commonwealth Avenue at around 10:35 a.m. when they saw the plastic bags.

Superintendent Benjamin Gabriel, Fairview police station commander, said in an interview the plastic bags were buried less than a meter deep and had been there for a number of years.

Meanwhile, at least 39 persons were arrested for drug-related offenses in Metro Manila over the past two days.

Among them is Court of Appeals employee Enrique Gervacio, 54, who was among those arrested during a raid on a drug den on Santan street in Malate, Manila before dawn yesterday.

He was apprehended along with Debbie Clemente, who owns the house allegedly used as a drug den, and Gracelyn de Leon.

In Caloocan, former Philippine Army member Jonathan Joson, who held the rank of Private First Class, was arrested along with five others in an alleged drug session in Bagong Barrio Wednesday night.

Former Barangay Bagong Ilog, Pasig watchman Randy Remudo, 43, was arrested yesterday after police officers, who carried a warrant to search his house for unlicensed firearms, found 11 grams of shabu instead.

Remudo was listed as a high-value target in 2017 and surrendered under Oplan Tokhang in January, said Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Eastern Police District director.