Porac, Pampanga—About 1.25 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P7.1 million was confiscated from a suspected illegal drug trafficker believed to be operating in Pampanga and in nearby areas in Central Luzon Thursday evening.
Police Col. Andres Simbajon Jr., acting director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, identified the suspect as Khalid Montealbo Monte, 29, of Bgy. Sta. Teresita, Angeles City.
The suspect did not resist arrest during the buy bust operation at Barangay Sta. Cruz.
The suspect was placed under surveillance by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit following reports of his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade in the province.
Police Maj. Louie Gonzaga, chief of the PDEU, said the suspect negotiated the sale of 1.5 kilograms of shabu.
Gonzaga said Monte is a member of “Muslim Drug Group” responsible in dealing shabu and other kinds of illegal drugs in Pampanga and nearby Angeles City.
He sold the shabu to a poseur buyer, who agreed to meet him along the Angeles City-Porac Road Thursday evening.
On board an old Toyota Corolla (TRA 403), Gonzaga said the suspect surfaced at the agreed place and alighted to give the item to the poseur but was instead arrested. A further check yielded more shabu in his backpack.
Recovered from the suspect was the dusted money used in the drug bust and several heat-sealed transparent sachets of shabu aside from medium size plastic bag carrying 1.25 kilograms of similar stuff.
Gonzaga said the suspect was brought to PDEU headquarters for further investigation as violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act is being readied against him.