P47.6 million shabu seized in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Seven kilos of shabu valued at P47.6 million were seized in an anti-narcotics operation in this city on Wednesday night.

City police chief Col. Alexander Lorenzo said operatives from the Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 11, Zamboanga City police, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) launched the operation.

Law enforcers initially transacted with the suspects in a motel along the Maria Clara Lobregat Highway in Barangay Putik.

Two suspects managed to escape after their pickup hit a sport utility vehicle.

Their companion, Alkhomunie Ismael Usil, 30, who claimed to be a tricycle operator and a native of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, was arrested.

Lorenzo said seven packs of Chinese tea, which contained the illegal drugs, and marked money were recovered from the suspect.

The drug haul is considered the biggest in the city this year.

In Cavite, 5.5 kilos of marijuana valued at P660,000 were allegedly recovered from two persons in Barangay Ligtong III in Rosario town.

Police said 60 grams of shabu worth P408,000 were confiscated from an alias Ryan in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Meanwhile, Masinloc has been declared drug-free. The PDEA said Masinloc complied with the parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board on
strengthening the implementation of the barangay drug clearing program, making it the first town in Zambales to be declared drug-free.