P68 million shabu seized in Moonwalk

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confiscated in Parañaque City on Friday 10 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at P68 million from five suspected drug pushers.

Joemy Gumbay, 29; Ysmael Abas, 28; Jonnard Moldez, 28; Sittie Mariam Gumbay, 28, and JonJon Almario, 18, were apprehended during a sting in a house in Barangay Moonwalk at around 5 p.m., the PDEA’s National Capital Region (NCR) field unit said in a report.

The suspects, who are residents of Muntinlupa and Taguig, negotiated a deal with PDEA agents posing as drug buyers for a kilo of shabu.

After the suspects accepted the marked money, the lawmen placed them under arrest.

Apart from the shabu that had been part of the sale, nine more kilos of shabu placed in a box were seized from the suspects.

The suspects’ four cell phones and assorted documents allegedly contained drug transactions.

Complaints for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs, were filed against the suspects.

Meanwhile, a 25-year-old man was arrested after he was caught with 200 grams of shabu worth P1.36 million in Taguig City on Friday.

Operatives of the police Drug Enforcement Group collared Arnold Jose Banta in Barangay Pinagsama at around 5 p.m. wherein he allegedly closed a deal with an undercover PDEG officer.

In Quezon City, around 100 grams of shabu, with a street value of P680,000 were seized from a 21-year-old man  on Friday.

Joshua Mangga was apprehended by Quezon City Police District anti-narcotics officers in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa at around 11:50 p.m., QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said.

Maranan said the operation against Mangga was based on a tip from a concerned citizen who told them about the suspect’s nefarious activities in their community.

Lawmen placed Mangga in handcuffs after he sold P20,000 worth of shabu to a police officer who acted as a drug buyer.