P1 billion shabu seized in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Shabu with an estimated street value of P1.05 billion was seized in a raid in Angeles, Pampanga on Monday afternoon, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The PDEA raid was based on a warrant issued by Judge Eda Dizon of the Angeles Regional Trial Court Branch 60 against a Chinese national for violation of Repulic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspect, identified as Guang Tou, was the reported occupant of the property located on Orchid street in Timog Hills Subdivision, Barangay Pampang.

The PDEA said Guang managed to escape before the raiding team arrived in the area.

Aside from PDEA agents, the team was composed of members of the military, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the local police.

PDEA chief Isagani Nerez said the team found 155 plastic bags, each containing a kilo of suspected shabu.

Aside from the illegal substance, the team seized a Lexus vehicle with license plate TYT 841.

Nerez said the raid was connected to another anti-narcotics operation conducted also in Angeles two weeks ago, wherein 35 kilos of shabu worth P238 million were seized from a Chinese national and a Filipina.

“What you see is the outcome of persistent tracking of previous operations targeting individuals connected to syndicated drug trafficking to include their sources,” Nerez said in a statement.

While the PDEA is prioritizing high-value drug targets, Nerez assured the public that the agency continues to run after small-scale drug dealers in communities.

“It is at the grassroots level where most of the drugs are sold and abused,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old-man was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation in Iloilo City, which resulted in the seizure of shabu with an estimated street value of P394,400.

The suspect, identified only as Tope, yielded 58 grams of shabu in a sting in Barangay Lapuz Norte. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Artemio Dumlao