TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities seized an estimated P6.7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested two alleged high-value individuals during a buy-bust operation along the seawall of Barangay 66, Paseo de Legaspi, at around 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) Station 2 Drug Enforcement Team (SDET), the Regional Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU-8), and the Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU-8).
PMajor Sheena Layog, chief of Police Station 2, identified the suspects as alias “Topi,” 35, self-employed, and alias “Mamak,” 33, a driver—both residents of Tacloban City.
Recovered from the suspects were two large sachets containing white crystalline substances believed to be shabu, initially purchased by an undercover operative for P34,000.
A subsequent search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, yielded a black backpack containing 13 knot-tied transparent plastic bags and eight more sachets of suspected shabu, a digital weighing scale, and a sling bag.
Authorities also confiscated 35 pieces of cash, consisting mostly of P1,000 bills and two P500 bills, one of which was court-subscribed buy-bust money used during the operation.
TCPO Director PCol. Noel Getigan said the operation dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade in Tacloban.
“The arrest of these two high-value targets disrupts a major drug network and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal activities in this city,” he said.
The two suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.
Charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed at the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects are temporarily detained at Police Station 2.
(ROBERT DEJON)
