A man who was caught examining a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was accosted by patrolling policemen in Pasay City Monday night.
Col. Cesar Paday-os, the city police chief, identified the suspect as Benzar Salim, 37 and a resident of Paranaque City. He is suspected to be a member of the notorious Morales De Vera group syndicate involved in gun for hire, robbery and illegal drugs activities.
Salim was arrested at about 6 p.m. inside the Pasay City Public Cemetery in Barangay 148 Zone 16.
Paday-os said patrolling policemen spotted Salim leaning in one of the tombs inside the cemetery and was examining a plastic sachet containing shabu weighing about 0.05 grams and worth P340.
He said Salim tried to walk away casually from approaching policemen but was cornered.
During a search conducted by the policemen, they also found in the suspect's possession an improvised handgun, or "sumpak," loaded with ammunition tucked in his waist.
Salim is now detained at the police custodial facility and charges of possession of illegal drugs, and violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, were filed against him.