P1.1 billion shabu seized in Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities confiscated an estimated 160 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a street value of P1.10 billion in Valenzuela City yesterday afternoon.

The illegal drugs were confiscated in a sting led by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at a subdivision in Barangay Karuhatan, around 100 meters away from the highway, at around 3:30 p.m.

Apart from PDEA, operatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Philippine National Police also took part in the operation.

Arrested during the drug bust were Chinese national Tianzhu Lyu, 32, and Meliza Villanueva, 37, who are being held on charges of drug trafficking.

The suspects allegedly negotiated a deal with undercover operatives for an unspecified amount of shabu in exchange for money.

Three cell phones and identification cards were also seized from the suspects.

PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva was scheduled to a hold a press briefing about the drug haul last night.

Villanueva said in a press conference last week that the street value of shabu has increased from P6.8 million to P6.9 million per kilo “due to a crisis,” but did not elaborate.