Duterte honors NBI over P11 billion drug haul

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has received the Order of Lapu-Lapu award from President Duterte for an anti-narcotics operation, which resulted in the seizure of P11 billion worth of shabu in Infanta, Quezon in March.

In a statement yesterday, NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor said he and other officials for intelligence, chemistry and anti-illegal drugs divisions of the bureau were conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu at Malacañang on May 23.

Under Executive Order 35, the Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to “officials and personnel of the government as well as to private individuals in recognition of their invaluable service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”

At least 1,855 kilos of shabu were confiscated by the NBI during the sting at a checkpoint in Barangay Comon on March 15.

The NBI described the operation as the “largest drug haul in the history of law enforcement in the Philippines.”

Ten suspects were intercepted for transporting 600 packs of shabu stashed in Chinese tea packs, the NBI said.

The suspects reportedly retrieved the drugs tossed into the sea between the islands of Polillo and Balesin before loading the contraband on three vans.