PDEA intercepts P1.6-M shabu for Saudi shipment

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested a suspected drug courier and seized an estimated P1.6 million worth of shabu during a controlled delivery operations in Pampanga, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Wednesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said operatives nabbed on March 3 the consignee of the shabu identified as Jonas Lopez, 32, of SSS Tagumpay Street, Sindalan, San Fernando City, Pampanga.

Cacdac said Lopez's arrest came after Benigno Cayanan Jr., 28,  who works in Saudi Arabia, voluntarily surrendered and alerted the operating units to personally return the suspected shabu to Lopez.

He said Lopez is suspected to be the facilitator for illegal drug couriers operating in  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Cacdac said large sachets of the suspected shabu was placed in a hollow space between a pair of thick slippers and were intended to be transported to the Saudi Arabia on March 2.

He said the seized illegal drug in four large transparent plastic sachets weighed 297 grams with an estimated value of P 1.6 million.

“PDEA assures the public that we will continue to halt the exploitation of  our overseas Filipino workers in transporting illegal drugs abroad," he added.