CIDG busts Makati-Pasay shabu ring

MANILA, Philippines – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) office said yesterday it believes its agents busted a syndicate distributing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in the cities of Pasay and Makati with the arrest of the ring’s alleged leaders.

CIDG-NCR agents arrested Melanio Maniwan, 45; and his daughter Melvie Maniwan-Buendai, 23, in a buy-bust in Pasig City the other day and seized shabu with a street value of at least P27,000 from the two suspects.

According to Chief Inspector Samuel Delorino, head of the CIDG’s East Office, the suspects arranged to meet their undercover agent at a fastfood restaurant along Caruncho Avenue at about 1 p.m.

The suspects were arrested after they accepted marked money from the agent, who posed as a buyer.

“We believe that this is a big syndicate because they would not sell the drugs for any amount lower than P27,000,” Delorino said.

Delorino said they are still questioning the two suspects as to the source of the seized drugs while they are detained at the CIDG headquarters.

The CIDG is preparing to charge the suspects with violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, he said.