Cops seize P175-M 'shabu' inside tea package, nab 2 men in Caloocan City

Caloocan City police operatives arrested two brothers in a buy-bust operation  on Saturday after yielding more than 25 kilograms of suspected shabu, with estimated street value of P175 million, inside a Chinese tea packaging.

In a police report, operatives of the Caloocan City Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) NCR Regional Office, conducted a anti-illegal drug operation at 7:30 a.m. at Block 30, Lot 17, Phase 12 of Barangay 188, Tala.

Brothers Kalif Latif, 24; and Akisah Latif, 18, were arrested after authorities found in their possession a stash of 25.7 kilograms of crystal meth (shabu).

Caloocan City Police Chief Police Colonel Samuel Mina said the elder Latif is on the BADAC watchlist of known drug personalities in the city, and is running his drug trafficking activities with his two younger siblings.

Their younger sibling, aged 14, meanwhile was rescued by authorities during the operation.

According to Mina, the confiscated meth in 44 transparent plastic bags of different sizes, and were packed inside a Chinese tea brand packaging.

Based on the standard Dangerous Drugs Board estimates, the contraband has a street value of P174.76M.

The suspects will undergo inquest proceedings, while their minor sibling will be endorsed to the City Social Welfare and Development Office. —LBG, GMA News