Government anti-narcotics authorities seized around P3.74 million worth of suspected shabu following the arrest of three drug suspects included in the high-value target (HVT) roster during a buy-bust operation in Pili, Camarines Sur, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.
In a statement, the PDEA noted that the suspects with aliases “Chard,’’ “Franz,’’ and “Lito’’ were collared at around 11:48 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, in Barangay Palestina after months of surveillance and information provided by tipsters.
The operatives immediately pounced on the suspects after an undercover agent gave the signal that the transaction was consummated.
Aside from the 550 grams of suspected shabu, authorities also confiscated the buy-bust money and other non-drug pieces of evidence believed to be used by the group in their illegal drug deals.
Initially the group was busted after one of the suspects sold a sachet of shabu to an undercover agent but upon further search authorities discovered two additional plastic bags containing the contraband with an accumulated volume of 550 grams.
The suspects face charges for violation of Sections 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 ot “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.’’