ORMOC CITY-More than P3 million worth of suspected shabu was recovered from a high-value individual during a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of local police in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.
The operation took place at around 8:22 pm on Thursday, August 15, in Barangay Ingan, in the said town.
The suspect was identified as alias “Lan-lan,” 44, a welder by profession, and a resident of Brgy. Libas.
During the operation, police recovered five sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P5,000.
In a body search conducted in the presence of an elected official and a representative from the local media, a white sling bag was found in the suspect’s possession.
Inside the bag was a large plastic packet containing 520 grams of the same white crystalline substance, also suspected to be shabu.
Additionally, ten P500 bills were recovered, including one court-marked bill with serial number HF212442 used in the operation, while the other nine were boodle money used as bait.
The total weight of the recovered suspected illegal drugs was 521.5 grams, with an estimated street value of P3.54 million.
Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have already been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect, who is currently detained at the lock-up cell of Hinunangan police station. (ROBERT DEJON)
