P8.1 million shabu seized in Manila sting

MANILA, Philippines — A man was caught carrying over P8.1 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu during a sting in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Thursday night.

The Manila Police District drug enforcement unit launched the operation to apprehend a suspected dealer, “Boss Yaser,” later identified as Yasser Hadji Noor, 28.

Police confiscated 1.2 kilos of shabu with a street value of P8,160,000 from Noor, a resident of Barangay Marulas in Valenzuela City.

Students targeted

Meanwhile, two alleged dealers who reportedly targeted students were arrested in a sting in Taguig on Thursday.

Jomarie Balagat, 21, and Mike Angelo Dula, 28, reportedly sold a teabag of marijuana for as low as P50, according to city police chief Col. Robert Baesa.

The suspects were under surveillance for two weeks before they were caught in Barangay Santa Ana at around 11:50 p.m., Baesa said.

Police seized 600 grams of marijuana valued at P72,000 and five grams of shabu with a street value of P34,000.

The suspects face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act or Republic Act 9165.

In Caloocan, Albert Bautista, 23, was arrested for allegedly riding a motorcycle without a helmet and trying to flee from police officers who apprehended him at the Bonifacio Monument Circle on Thursday night.

City police chief Col. Ruben Lacuesta said lawmen confiscated three sachets of shabu valued at P68,000 from Bautista. — Emmanuel Tupas, Mark Ernest Villeza