Woman arrested for receiving package with P3.49 million shabu

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was arrested after she allegedly received a parcel that contained 514 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P3.49 million during an interdiction operation at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on Thursday.

Catherine Amatiaga, 42, was apprehended by anti-narcotics officers at the warehouse along Domestic Road at around 6:30 p.m., according to a report from the police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).

The package originated from Badlapur in South West Delhi, India.

Amatiaga is being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The operation was a joint effort by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Interagency Drug Interdiction Task Group where PDEG is one of the member agencies.

Meanwhile, two people were arrested in a sting in Pasay City on Thursday that yielded P136,000 worth of shabu.

John Jason Placido and Elton John Bella, both 27, were arrested in Barangay 194 Zone 20 at around 8:30 p.m., the Southern Police District (SPD) said in a report.

The SPD said the suspects, who are listed as street-level pushers, were caught with 20 grams of shabu.

The suspects are being held on charges of drug trafficking. — Rudy Santos