P6.5-M shabu seized in Ilocos raid

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – At least 650 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P6.5 million were seized in a sting that also resulted in the arrest of two suspected drug traffickers in Tagudin town, Ilocos Sur Friday.

Genaro Talino, 70, and his nephew, Antonio Ugay, 37, were arrested at their house in Barangay Bekkes by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The arresting team momentarily brought Talino to a hospital on their way to Camp Diego Silang here due to hypertension.

PDEA regional director Adrian Alvarino said the P6.5 million worth of shabu was their biggest catch so far in the area.

 Seized from the suspects were seven plastic bags and 21 plastic sachets reportedly containing shabu, drug paraphernalia, an M-16 rifle, bullets and bank deposit slips.

“The suspects supply shabu in La Union, Ilocos Norte and Sur and Baguio City. They get their supply, hand-carried from the National Capital Region,” Alvarino said.

Talino denied owning the drugs. He said it belonged to his brother in-law, whom he identified as Carlo.  – Raymund Catindig, Artemio Dumlao