Shabu’ worth P880,000 seized in Albay Gulf

LEGAZPI CITY – Anti-narcotics operatives seized on Friday P880,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) from two suspects who were transporting the illegal drug over Sula channel, part of Albay Gulf, in Bacacay town in Albay province.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bicol, police and Philippine Navy arrested Ariel Barcelon, alias “Ayie,” and Bernardo Dayto within the vicinity of Port Sula Channel while transporting illegal drugs at 9:15 a.m., said Christian Frivaldo, acting PDEA regional director.

Frivaldo said the suspects were sailing on board a motorized banca from Barangay (village) San Roque in this city to the island town of Rapu-rapu when they were intercepted.

The authorities confiscated six sachets containing suspected shabu with about  130 grams worth P880,000.

Frivaldo said the raiding team tracked Barcelon to serve a warrant of arrest when during the arrest, operatives found the shabu with other drug paraphernalia among the suspect’s belongings.

Frivaldo said Barcelon was a high-value target listed on the PDEA drug watchlist while Dayto was a drug courier.