P47.6 million worth of shabu seized in Bulacan

Authorities seized P47.6 million worth of suspected shabu in Malolos, Bulacan, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported Sunday.

According to the PDEA, approximately seven kilos of suspected shabu were found in seven brown-gold foil packs labeled with Chinese characters reading "Freeso-dried Durien."

During the buy-bust operation in a house in Barangay Tikay, authorities arrested five suspects—two women and three men—who will face charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Cell phones, buy-bust money, and identification cards were also confiscated from the suspects.

According to PDEA, one of the women suspects was jailed before due to illegal charges.

"Napansin natin na bumabalik sa kaniyang dating gawain at upon surveillance nakita natin na malaki pa rin 'yung galaw niya. So doon nagsimula talaga 'yung pagkasa natin ng buy-bust operation," PDEA Regional Office, NCR PIO chief Arvin Targa said in a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita on Monday.

(We noticed that she went back to her old ways and upon surveillance we saw that she had big transactions. So that led us to conduct the buy-bust operation.)

PDEA said the suspects' group operates in Bulacan, Valenzuela, Malabon, and Navotas.

It seems too that the alleged drug operation is a family business, PDEA added.

"Base nga sa aming pag-iimbestiga, magkakamag-anak ang mga ito gayundin 'yung nobya nu'ng isa sa mga suspek. So technically, hindi sila basta small time lang na gumagamit sa loob. Hindi ito isang drug den. So talagang nakuha natin. Isa sila sa pinagmumulan ng droga doon sa area," Targa said.

(Based on our investigation, the suspects are relatives. One is the girlfriend of a suspect. So technically, this is not a small-time group using drugs. It is not a drug den. So it looks like we really busted them. They are one of the sources of illegal drugs in the area.)

The suspects were detained at the PDEA headquarters.

GMA Integrated News is trying to get their comments but so far the suspects have not given any statement. — DVM/KG, GMA Integrated News