7 nabbed in shabu deal

Seven persons were arrested and 500 grams of shabu were seized by operatives of the District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU) of the Central Police District yesterday afternoon at a mall parking lot in Quezon City.

Chief Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, head of the CPD-DPIU, identified the suspects as Noralda Buda, 23, of Block 15 Lot 15 Magnolia street, Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna; Normina Guimalon, 24, of 87 Sabang street, Dasmariñas, Cavite; Norma Ruben, 18, of Laguna; Diego Macasilang, 20, of Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City; and Calison Benasin, 29; Joyce Salazar, 18; and Alicia Haron, 18, all of Don Antonio, Quezon City.

Jaraza said that the operation was conducted after receiving information that drug dealers would be arriving in cars at the parking lot of the SM City on North Avenue to sell the illegal drugs.

During a stakeout at the parking lot, a gray Toyota Corolla (WDF-923) with three women aboard arrived and parked beside the vehicle of the CPD-DPIU operatives about 2:30 p.m., Jaraza said.

Later, a maroon Mitsubishi Adventure (WHN-258) arrived and parked near the Corolla.

After a few minutes, the occupant of the Corolla handed over a backpack to one of the occupants of the Mitsubishi Adventure in exchange for an ATM card, Jaraza said.

When the two groups were about leave, the operatives approached them and asked them to submit to a routine check.

At this juncture, the police discovered the 500 grams of shabu inside the backpack.