3 dead in P27 million drug bust in Pasig

MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P27.2 million worth of shabu stashed in Chinese tea packs was recovered from three suspected pushers who were killed in an alleged shootout with police in Pasig City before dawn yesterday.

Richard Buan, 36; Paulo Rioflorido and an alias Ricsan died at the scene from gunshots to the body.

Police said they confiscated at least four kilos of shabu from the suspects.

Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., director of the National Capital Region Police Office, said the suspects were members of the Kenneth Mactan drug group operating in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Danao said the three were killed after they engaged police in a gunfight during a sting in Barangay Rosario at around 1 a.m.

He said the suspects negotiated a drug deal with police officers who posed as buyers. The suspects allegedly pulled out their guns after they sensed it was a sting.

“We don’t want bloody encounters like this. Sana ay mapayapa na lamang silang sumuko at harapin ang kanilang pananagutan sa batas,” Danao said.

Police said they also confiscated from the suspects three .45-caliber handguns. At least 17 bullet casings were recovered at the scene.

Party drugs

Meanwhile, agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, confiscated yesterday 5,637 tablets of the party drug Ecstasy during an operation at the Quezon City postal office.

The drugs amounting to P9.5 million were concealed in a foot spa machine, according to the BOC.

Authorities apprehended the two claimants of the contraband.

BOC records showed that the package containing Ecstasy tablets arrived at the Central Mail Exchange Center from Germany on June 28.

The shipment was declared as children’s toys, sandals, bags, pants and socks. It was consigned to a Quezon City resident.

The suspects are being investigated by the PDEA.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act will be filed against the suspects. — Rudy Santos