P850 million shabu seized in Pangasinan

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Shabu with an estimated street value of P850 million was seized in an anti-narcotics operation that also resulted in the arrest of two drug suspects in Bugallon, Pangasinan on Thursday afternoon.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said a Chinese national identified only as Monkey, 40, and his Filipino cohort yielded 125 kilos of shabu stashed in tea bags following a sting along Olongapo-Bugallon Road in Barangay Polong.

The suspects were collared after they reportedly received the marked money from PDEA undercover agents who offered them P5 million in exchange for the illegal substance.

The arresting team also seized the suspects’ Hyundai Starex van and phones believed used in drug transactions as well as the marked money.

PDEA chief Isagani Nerez said the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of the illegal substance resulted from extensive intelligence work, which enabled agents to track down people connected to major illegal drug networks.