P1-B shabu seized in raid

MANILA, Philippines - Police seized some 190 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P1 billion in an apartment in San Juan City yesterday.

Operatives of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) found the shabu shipment in a room being rented by Long Zong, a Chinese who was among the three foreigners arrested by the police in a sting operation in Parañaque City last Wednesday.

Police operatives found the drugs neatly packed in plastic bags and covered tightly by brown masking tape.

The drug stash was discovered on a bed in a room being rented by Long located at the corner of Ortega and P. Guevarra Streets in Barangay Addition Hills.

“The seized illegal drugs are ready for distribution in the market,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo.

Bacalzo noted the absence of any equipment or chemicals that could indicate the apartment was used as a shabu laboratory.

NCRPO chief Director Nicanor Bartolome said the seized shabu in San Juan City is the second biggest catch by the PNP in terms of finished products.

The biggest drug haul so far was the 500 kilos confiscated from a former mayor in Quezon province.

Bartolome said the accomplishment is part of the NCRPO’s “Operation Meltdown” program launched last January where nine Chinese nationals were arrested with some P1.769-billion worth of illegal drugs.

Long, Tong Chan and Wai Leung Cheung were arrested last Wednesday during a buy-bust operation involving 8.5 kilos of shabu worth P42.5 million, said Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel, head of the NCRPO’s Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force.

The three suspects then led the lawmen to where the stash was hidden.

Police learned Long had been renting the apartment for P33,000 a month for almost four years.

The raiding lawmen saw several empty plastic bags and weighing scales that indicated the apartment was used as a drug distribution point.

In halting English and through sign language, Long admitted the shabu shipment came from China.

But Long could not explain how he was able to sell the drugs locally.

Neighbors claimed they noticed nothing unusual about the activities of the three Chinese during their stay in the place.

Bartolome added Operation Meltdown has led to the seizure of 40 kilos of shabu in Caloocan City; 6.2 kilos of shabu in Manila; and the raid at a shabu laboratory in Malabon.

“We are happy that we were able to prevent the proliferation of shabu in the streets of Metro Manila and we will continue to hunt down illegal drug syndicates operating in the metropolis,” Bartolome said.

San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez also lauded the police for the biggest drug operation in the city’s history.

Gomez said the seizure should serve as a stern warning to drug syndicates.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to lawless elements that they cannot forever escape the long arm of the law. The City of San Juan will exercise all possible means to prevent all forms of illegal drug activities in its jurisdiction,” Gomez said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano