P136M worth of suspected shabu seized in Pasig; 3 drug suspects arrested

Operatives from the Philippine National Police - Drug Enforcement Group seized suspected shabu worth P136 million during a buy-bust operation in Maybunga, Pasig City on Wednesday night.

Reports reaching Camp Crame stated that three drug suspects were also arrested during the operation along Westbank Road. They were identified as Joel "Noel" Narido, 39; Maria Teresa Concil, 35; and Ronald Solomon, 41.

According to an Unang Balita report by Bam Alegre, Narido was a long-time target of police surveillance. Concil and Solomon were reportedly his runners.

Police Colonel Wilson Lopez, Eastern Police District's deputy district for operations, said the declaration of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila had hindered operations against the suspects.

"Unfortunately, because of the declaration ng MECQ, hindi natin mai-conduct 'yung operation so nagkataon na na-declare 'yung GCQ (general community quarantine) natin, nagkaroon ng chance 'yung ating mga operatiba para mag-conduct ng buy bust operation. Luckily, ito nga nagresulta sa pagkaaresto nila," he said.

Seized from the drug suspects were a total of 20 transparent plastic packs containing suspected shabu. They were hidden inside Guanyinwang Chinese tea bags, having an estimated weight of 20 kilograms.

Meanwhile, Narido denied that he is involved in illegal drug activities. He said he does not know that the box contained illegal drugs.

"Hindi po, sir, kasi naka-karton pa po 'yan eh," Narido said.

Authorities will investigate if the nabbed suspects are part of a larger drug syndicate.

The suspects are now under the custody of PDEG for filing of appropriate charges for alleged violations of Sections 2 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/KBK, GMA News