Suspected shabu worth P61 million seized from suspects
TACLOBAN CITY—Three individuals were arrested and are now detained at a local police station in Allen town, Northern Samar, following the recovery of suspected shabu valued at more than P61 million, along with a cache of firearms and ammunition.
Reports from the provincial headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Catarman, revealed that the suspects, who were aboard an L-300 van, were apprehended at a checkpoint on San Juanico Bridge on Friday, August 9, at about 1:35 a.m.
Police Col. Sonnie Omengan, the Northern Samar police provincial director, stated that cases of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, as well as illegal possession of drugs, were filed on Saturday, August 10, against the suspects before the Prosecutor’s Office in Allen town.
He further noted that the group might be part of a criminal syndicate operating in Mindanao, involved in illegal drug activities and gun running.
Prior to the arrest, the three suspects—identified only as “Kasim” from Taguig City, the driver of the van; “Salik” from Cotabato City; and “Musa” from Maguindanao—were linked to an ‘abandoned’ plastic luggage discovered by port officer Teddy Abayon, Jr. inside the Dapdap seaport terminal in Allen town on Thursday at around 7:00 p.m.
Upon inspection by the local police, with assistance from the Philippine Coast Guard, the luggage was found to contain nine tea bags filled with suspected shabu, weighing approximately one kilogram, with a street value of P61.16 million—one of the largest drug hauls in the region in recent months.
This discovery prompted the local police to conduct a hot pursuit operation.
With the help of CCTV footage, they learned that the suspected shabu had been abandoned by those aboard the L-300 van, which was believed to be en route to Mindanao from Bicutan, Manila.
The L-300 van was intercepted at a checkpoint on the Samar side of San Juanico Bridge at about 1:35 a.m. on Friday.
Inside the van, authorities discovered a cache of firearms, including two M16 rifles loaded with magazines and ammunition; two 40mm AVACOR cartridges; three M16 rifle lower receivers; three upper receivers with barrels for M16 rifles;17 bolt carrier assemblies for M16 rifles; two .30 caliber receivers with barrels; five barrels and bipod assemblies for .60 caliber weapons; 54 front sight assemblies for M16 rifles with attached sling holders; two caliber .30 ammunition box holders; two trigger mechanisms and grip assemblies; eight 5.56 mm rifle upper receiver assemblies; eight 5.56 mm rifle lower receivers; one forearm assembly for a .60 caliber weapon; one link cover for a .60 caliber weapon with spring; two butt stocks for a .60 caliber weapon; one 5.56 mm rifle ejection port cover; 45 military uniform T-shirts; along with personal items, IDs, cash, and electronic devices.
B/Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, the police regional director, commended the local police for their ‘successful operation.’
“We will continue to take strong actions against any criminal activities in our region. PRO 8 is diligently conducting a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the full scope of the suspects’ criminal network and identify any additional individuals involved in this operation,” he stated.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROBERT DEJON, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
