P1.2M shabu seized in buy-bust operation

CEBU, Philippines - At least P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated by the operatives of the City Intelligence Branch during a buy-bust operation yesterday afternoon in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City.

Suspected drug pusher Mark Ryan Alpante, 21, was caught in the act of selling three small packs of shabu worth P900 to an undercover policeman.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said the arrest of the suspect was a product of three weeks surveillance operations.

Santander said that the suspect was arrested in 2012 for the same offense and is currently out on bail.

He said they received information that Alpante returned to his illegal activities, prompting the conduct of the operation yesterday.

Aside from the three small packs bought from him by an undercover agent, the police also recovered 14 medium and 74 small packs of shabu, 9mm pistol, and two airsoft rifles.

Santander said the confiscated shabu was valued at P1.2 million based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimates.  (FREEMAN)