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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider PDEA: Newbie drug syndicate in P136-M shabu bust

PDEA: Newbie drug syndicate in P136-M shabu bust

Published May 26, 2026 06:36 pm
‎PACKS of shabu amounting to P136 million seized in Naga City, Cebu on Sunday, May 24. (PDEA-7) ‎
‎PACKS of shabu amounting to P136 million seized in Naga City, Cebu on Sunday, May 24. (PDEA-7) ‎
‎
‎CEBU CITY – The two men who were arrested in possession of P136-million worth of illegal drugs belonged to a drug syndicate that has just started operating in Cebu, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7).
‎The PDEA-7 said the group that the suspects identified only as Romy and Dante belonged to cannot be considered a big-time drug syndicate since it recently just surfaced in Cebu.
Leia Alcantara, information officer of PDEA-7, said investigation is ongoing to identify the suspects’ cohorts.
‎Dante and Romy were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Uling, Naga City, Cebu on Sunday, May 24.
At least 20 kilos of suspected shabu were seized from the two men.
‎“We cannot call them a drug syndicate just yet but they have a structure. They are an organized crime group per our leader,” said Alcantara.
‎Alcantara said that the seized shabu was not only intended for Central Visayas.
It was possible that some of the illegal drugs were bound for Mindanao as Cebu is a transhipment point.‎
Alcantara said that based on investigation, there were times when the suspects transported 30 kilos of shabu.
‎The suspects have admitted that the illegal drugs came from Luzon and were brought to Cebu by land.
The PDEA-7 is still in the process of identifying the suspect’s mastermind and the source of the illegal drugs.
Chemical analysis and profiling are ongoing to determine the place where the illegal drugs were manufactured, said Alcantara.
Alcantara said the confiscation will affect the supply of illegal drugs in Cebu.
“Lives were saved because of the seizure,” Alcantara said.
Alcantara dismissed notions that the seized illegal drugs will be recycled.
She said that after the charges were filed against the two suspects, the PDEA-7 asked the court to issue necessary approval for the destruction of the seized illegal drugs.
“One of the very proactive measures being taken is that once charges are filed, the PDEA files a motion for the immediate destruction of dangerous drugs,” said Alcantara.

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Naga City Cebu Drug pusher Shabu
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