Authorities seized 20 kilos of suspected shabu worth P136 million and arrested two alleged drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Naga City, Cebu.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas said the operation was carried out at around 4:50 pm in Purok Gaway-Gaway, Barangay Uling.
PDEA-7 Regional Director Joel Plaza identified the suspects only as alias “Romy,” 57 years old, an electrician, and alias “Dante,” 47 years old, a construction worker. Both are residents of Laguna.
The operation was conducted by combined operatives of the PDEA Cebu Provincial Office, PDEA-7 Intelligence and Investigation Unit, Philippine Coast Guard Intelligence Group Central Visayas, Naval Forces Central, Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group, Cebu Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Naga City Police Office.
Authorities recovered 20 vacuum-sealed packs of suspected shabu weighing around 20 kilograms, with an estimated standard drug price of P136 million.
Also seized were buy-bust money, three mobile phones, a compact sedan, and other non-drug evidence.
PDEA said the seized drug evidence was submitted to the PDEA-7 Regional Office Laboratory for proper disposition, while the suspects were placed under the temporary custody of PDEA-7 in Lahug, Cebu City.
The suspects will face complaints for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 26(b) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, covering the sale and possession of dangerous drugs and conspiracy to sell.
If convicted, they may face life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.