BUTUAN CITY – Suspected shabu worth P7.4 million was seized from a food courier during a buy-bust operation in Purok 6, Sitio Banahaw, Barangay Sabang, Surigao City on Wednesday, September 13.
Police are now conducting thorough follow-up operations to trace his source and other suspects in the illicit drug trade, Police Regional Office-13 Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.
Identity of the suspect is temporarily withheld pending the arrest of his supplier and other contacts, Ometer said.
The Surigao City Drug Enforcement Unit, 1st Surigao del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Drug Enforcement Unit which staged the operation were able to seize a total of 1,100 grams of shabu from the newly identified drug personality along with the P31,000 marked money, Ometer added.
Initial investigation said that the suspect discreetly hid packs of shabu inside a food bucket as he worked as a food courier in the city.
Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft ordered thorough manhunt against the supplier and cohorts of the suspect.
“Let this accomplishment be a stern warning that there is no let-up in our anti-illegal drug campaigns,” Kraft said. “We are now steering towards the main sources of the drug trade and I hope the community will remain cooperative with our endeavors,” he added.
Meanwhile, 30 suspected drug personalities were arrested during the implementation of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) in the Caraga region from September 6 to 12.
The PRO-13 Regional Operations Division (ROD) said 154.67 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,051,756 and 24.5 grams of marijuana valued at P2,940 were confiscated from the suspects.
Kraft said suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
"We commit to more substantial strides both in demand and supply reduction of illegal drugs,” he said, adding, “The fight requires a multifaceted approach, thus, we continue to strengthen partnership and collaboration with all our stakeholders, and we will not rest until our community is free from the grip of this menace.”