Authorities seize P816M worth of shabu, arrest suspect

On Friday morning, March 21, authorities seized 120 kilograms of suspected shabu worth approximately P816 million in a seaport interdiction operation in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

Police Regional Office (PRO) MIMAROPA and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 4B arrested a 43-year-old male suspect identified only as alias Christopher through a K-9 inspection at about 8 a.m., who was found carrying the drugs concealed inside two luggage bags and five travel bags.

The operation, which involved various agencies including PRO MIMAROPA Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Calapan City Police Station, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Ports Authority, also resulted in the confiscation of a white Toyota Camry, an Android phone, and a ferry ticket from the suspect who faces charges for violating Section 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165.

Police Regional Office MIMAROPA Regional Director Police Brigadier General Roger Quesada commended the teamwork among agencies, highlighting the effectiveness of intensified inter-agency collaboration in preventing drug smuggling.

Since January, PRO MIMAROPA has arrested 110 drug personalities and confiscated a total of 434.47 grams of shabu worth P2.95 million in various operations.