2 killed, P1.5 billion shabu seized in Cavite stings

MANILA, Philippines — At least 229 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.58 billion were confiscated in anti-drug operations in Cavite on Thursday.

A suspect with links to a Chinese drug ring and his cohort were killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Wilkins Villanueva said 181 kilos of shabu valued at P1.23 billion were seized in Barangay Molino 3 in Bacoor City at around 9:27 p.m.

Basher Bangon, 50, and Danilo Untavar, 51, had just sold a kilo of shabu when they allegedly pulled out their guns when they sensed they had transacted with undercover agents.

Villanueva said Bangon was a top-level drug personality and leader of a drug ring.

“He had direct contact with Chinese drug syndicates and his main markets are the Visayas and Mindanao areas,” the PDEA chief said.

Another drug bust in Barangay Magdalo in Imus City at around 9:15 p.m. led to the confiscation of 48 kilos of shabu worth P326.4 million.

Bangon’s suspected cohorts Aldwin Micoleta, 47, and Lani Micoleta, 45, were arrested.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-Calabarzon chief, said they have been monitoring Bangon’s group since early this year.

“Ang area of operation nila ay sa NCR (National Capital Region), but their main target is the Mindanao area,” Azurin told reporters.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the operations were connected to the raids in Zambales and Bataan on Tuesday.

At least 580 kilos of shabu worth P3.9 billion were confiscated while four Chinese citizens were killed and three of their compatriots were arrested in the anti-narcotics operations.

“Nagpapatunay lang ito na hindi natitinag at hindi tinitigilan ng ating pamahalaan ang maigting na kampanya laban sa iligal na droga kahit sa gitna ng pandemya,” Eleazar said in a statement. –  Ed Amoroso