P13 million shabu seized in Mandaue bust

CEBU, Philippines —  The Mandaue City police confiscated illegal drugs worth an estimated P13 million from a high-value target early Monday morning.

The suspect, Dave Natividad, 30, a resident of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, was arrested in Barangay Tipolo.

“Makapagawas man si Dave og five kilos a week (Dave could distribute five kilos a week),” said Mandaue City police chief, Lt. Colonel Franco Oriol, adding, the suspect could even sell up to P30 million in just one week.

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimates that a kilo of shabu is valued at P6 million.

Oriol said Natividad has been under investigation since last month but investigation revealed he has been in the business for the past two years.

“Pag last month pa man mi nakahibalo ani niya, nya sa mga nadakpan namo, pirme man mu-come up iyahang pangalan (We came to know about him last month. His name was always mentioned by those we have arrested),” he said.

It was reportedly difficult to subject Natividad to a buy-bust since he only catered to clients who bought big amounts of drugs.

“Lisud man siya kay dinagko raman ni iyaha, niya pinili ra pod nga transactions (It was difficult to catch him because he was choosy with his clients and he only sold big amounts),” Oriol said.

During the operation yesterday, authorities confiscated 21 medium packs of shabu hidden inside a black back pack. The illegal drugs weighed 2,000 grams.

Oriol said Natividad may have links to bigtime drug personalities Dodong Natividad and Titing Lorenciana who were arrested 20 years ago and now detained at the National Bilibid Prison.

The suspect is detained at the Mandaue City Police Office. Evidence from the operation has been submitted to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office-7.  Katrina C. Alvarez, USJ-R Intern, JMO (FREEMAN)