Camp Olivas, Pampanga—About P3.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride also known as shabu were seized while nine alleged ‘personalities’ in the illegal drug trade have been arrested in separate sting operations at City of San Fernando and Mabalacat City Tuesday.
Police BGen Valeriano De Leon, Director of the Central Luzon PNP, said P3.4 million worth of shabu was seized at Barangay San Jose in City of San Fernando and another P102,000.00 confiscated from a drug den along 7th Street Dapdap Resettlement Area in Mabalacat City.
De Leon identified the suspects as Crispin San Pedro, 28, of Bgy Talang, Candaba town; Roldan Escajille, 23, of Tondo Manila; Jover Quijano, 28, of Tondo Manila; Randy V. Sevilla, 29; Wilfredo M Montaray,57; Riza S. Dizon, 35; Virgilio V. Ortega, 40; Daniel C. Catanghal, 19, and Eduardo C. Mercado, male, 47, of Mabalacat City.
Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized more than 500 grams of shabu during buy bust at Bgy San Jose and another 15 grams following raid at a drug den believed being used as transshipment point of shabu in Pampanga.
The series of drug bust, De Leon said is part of the government intensified supply reduction campaign following reports that some illegal drugs group in other areas have been targeting areas with booming economy.
“Pampanga is notably among the targets of drug syndicate due to the fact that the province had been known as a progressive place in Central Luzon in terms of economic activities,” said De Leon citing the presence of economic zones and entertainment spots.
The Central Luzon police chief however said he directed all police units in the region not to
lower their guards in the campaign against the prohibited substance.
“I instructed all police units to be vigilant and reinvigorate their operations in combatting illegal drugs specifically shabu, the most and common abused substance,” said De Leon over the phone.
The seized items were brought to police laboratory for confirmatory test while the suspects were taken to PDEA detention facility as violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act is being readied against them.