Grade-school teacher nabbed by PDEA for allegedly selling ‘shabu’

MANILA, Philippines—Anti-narcotics agents arrested recently a 40-year old elementary teacher in Nueva Vizcaya for allegedly selling suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu” to an undercover agent, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official said Wednesday.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. said that suspect Giovani Adzuara was apprehended last Sunday after he handed over a sachet containing 4.389 grams of shabu to a PDEA poseur-buyer in a buy-bust operation along National Highway in Purok 3, Almaguer North, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Adzuara teaches at the Abinganan Elementary School, also in Bambang, Gutierrez said.

A mobile phone, a Starex Van with plate number WDE-138, and the marked bills used during the transaction were recovered from Adzuara, the PDEA official said.

“Teachers play a significant role in developing positive ways to cope with problems and resist drug abuse early on in life among students. As mentor of the youth, what kind of education will Adzuara impart to his pupils?” Gutierrez said.

Adzuara is now under the custody of Bambang Police Station for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.