3 nabbed in Quezon buy-bust; P163.2M worth of alleged shabu seized

Three suspects were arrested and P163.2 million worth of suspected shabu were confiscated by authorities in a joint buy-bust operation in Candelaria, Quezon on Friday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

The buy-bust operation was conducted at around 7:20 p.m. in Purok 2 in Barangay Masin Norte by operatives from PDEA Regional Office–National Capital Region together with PDEA Regional Office 4A, in coordination with the Philippine National Police Quezon Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and Candelaria Police Station.

The confiscated suspected shabu weighed approximately 25 kilograms, authorities said. They were contained in vacuum-sealed plastic packs, PDEA added.

Those arrested were alias "Jack", 42, a farmer from Zamboanga City; alias "Nor", 31, a farmer from Zamboanga City; and alias "Anor", 43, a tricycle driver from North Cotabato.

Authorities also recovered the buy-bust money, one black Toyota Fortuner, two analog phones, one Android phone, and various identification ccards.

The PDEA Laboratory Service will conduct a forensic examination on the seized evidence.

Meanwhile, PDEA said the arrested suspects will face charges of violation of Sections 5 (Selling of Dangerous Drugs) and 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. —KG, GMA Integrated News