PDEA seizes Php5-M worth of shabu in Cubao

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MANILA -– Anti-narcotics operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized estimated of Php5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrocloride also known as shabu from two suspected drug traders during an anti-drug operation at shopping mall in Cubao, Quezon City, an official of PDEA said on Wednesday.

In a statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac Jr., identified the suspects as Benigno Mendoza, 30, jobless; and Jaylord Turero, 23, jobless, both residents of Green Park Village, Pasig City.

He said the suspects were identified as target drug personalities in Case Operation Plan: “Chinese Recidivist.”

Cacdac said at around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, operatives from PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (PDEA RO-NCR) under the direct supervision of Atty. Jacquelyn L. De Guzman conducted a buy-bust operation inside the McDonald’s fast food chain located at Ground Floor, Ali-Mall, Cubao, Quezon City.

He said Mendoza and Turero were caught red-handed selling one knot-tied plastic bag containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu weighing 1.050 kilogram with an estimated market value of Php5 million to a PDEA agent who acted as poseur-buyer.

Cacdac said that also recovered from the suspects were one black Nokia cellular phone, one resealable plastic bag containing suspected shabu, one paper bag, one window type envelope and the two pieces of P1000 bills used as marked money during the operation.

Seized pieces of drug evidence were brought to the PDEA Laboratory Service for forensic examination, while the suspects are temporarily detained at the PDEA RO-NCR jail facility.

Cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Sell), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing in court against Mendoza and Turero.