Cops seize P1.5M shabu, 38 gambling machines

CEBU, Philippines - At least P1.5 million worth of shabu and 38 gambling machines were seized by the police during a saturation drive in three Cebu City barangays Wednesday evening.

Operatives of the Cebu Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group also arrested a certain Richard Nabua for illegal possession of firearm in Barangay Calamba.

CAIDSOTG chief, Superintendent Romeo Santander, said his men were conducting preventive patrol as part of the region-wide crackdown against illegal drugs when they chanced upon Nabua.

The suspect reportedly acted strangely upon seeing the police. Nabua tried to run, prompting the policemen to give him a chase.

The suspect went inside a house where several packs of shabu estimated to be worth P1.5 million were recovered. Nabua was also arrested and was seized with caliber .45 pistol in his possession.

Santander said they are still investigating who owns the house where the illegal drugs were recovered.

Aside from the illegal drugs and the arrest of Nabua, CAIDSOTG operatives also seized eight gambling machines in Calamba.

The team proceeded to Barangay Pasil where 13 gambling machines were also seized. An additional 17 units of gambling machines were recovered in Ermita. There were, however, no operators were arrested.

Santander said that the three barangays are known to be illegal drugs and illegal gambling hotspots.  (FREEMAN)