3 Indonesians nabbed for P12-million shabu

MANILA, Philippines – Three Indonesian women were arrested and 1.5 kilos of a substance suspected to be a shabu confiscated during a drug bust in Makati City Saturday night.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina identified the arrested suspects as Magdalena Ridwhan, Mary Ridwhan, and Secilia Ridwhan.

Espina said the three women were nabbed at the corner of Eduque street and Makati Avenue at around 9:30 p.m. by members of the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF). However, other details of the arrest were not disclosed.

He said AIDSOTF agents seized six plastic packs of “a white crystalline substance” suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with a possible street value of P12 million.

Espina said the confiscated items were taken to the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City. The women were detained at the AIDSOTF office, also at Camp Crame.

Police are verifying the background of the suspects, the source of the confiscated items, and their possible connection to groups involved in the large-scale sale of shabu in the country, he said.

A source, however, said the women are planning to file charges against the AIDSOTF agents for abuse of authority. – With Jose Rodel Clapano