By Diann Ivy Cayetano Calucin
Police seized a total of P13.6 million worth of suspected shabu from two drug suspects inside a hotel room in Sampaloc, Manila on Tuesday, July 16.
The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the suspects as Lovely Gonzales, 38, a resident of C.M. Recto Avenue, Barangay 395, Sampaloc, Manila, and Anthony Reyes, 42, of Inocentes Street, Barangay Pag-asa, Mandaluyong City.
According to the police report, personnel from MPD Barbosa Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit (PS 14-SDEU) planned a buy-bust operation and one of them acted as poseur buyer.
The suspects were collared inside a room of Cosmotel on Padre Campa Street in Barangay 462, Sampaloc, Manila, at 2:35 a.m.
Police placed the suspects under arrest after receiving from them the alleged shabu.
Police seized the buy-bust money, five pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet and two blocks containing two kilos of suspected shabu worth P13,613,600.
The confiscated items will be forwarded to NHQ-Forensic Group for examination, while the arrested suspects are temporarily detained at Barbosa Police Station (PS-14) and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Investigation disclosed that Reyes was also arrested in 2019 for the same offense.
He was committed to the New Bilibid Prison and was released in December 2023.
"The operation demonstrates our dedication to dismantle drug networks and bring those responsible to justice. The seizure of 13.6 million worth of illegal drugs is a testament of the hard work and collaboration of the men and women of Manila Police District,” MPD Chief Arnold Thomas Ibay said in a statement.
He said the MPD will continue to strengthen their campaign against crime, illegal drugs and terrorism to assure the residents of the peace and security in the City of Manila.