P204-M ‘shabu’ seized from drug lord’s ‘right hand’ in Pasig

MANILA, Philippines – A team composed of members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office in Metro Manila seized on Monday P204 million worth of suspected crystal meth, or “shabu,” from a suspected “right-hand man” of a convicted drug lord.

According to an NCRPO report, the suspect — identified as Manolito Lugo Carlos alias Lito and Tonge — was arrested during the implementation of a search warrant at about 7:40 p.m. at his house in Barangay Rosario.

Recovered from the suspect were 30 large packs of Chinese tea containing 30 kilograms of suspected shabu. Each pack contained a kilogram of suspected illegal drugs.

Also seized were assorted drug paraphernalia and various bank deposit slips of remittances as payment for illegal drugs.

According to the NCRPO, the suspect is a high-profile drug personality and is a main player of an organized gang engaged in drug trafficking in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

He is also connected to convicted drug personalities now serving time at the New Bilibid Prison, police said.

“As the right hand of a convicted drug lord, he is in charge of the storage and distribution of illegal drugs,” the NCRPO said in its report, without specifying the drug lord.

Investigation showed the suspect was arrested sometime in 2000 by the Mandaluyong police and was charged with a drug-related case. But he continued with his illegal activities after he was acquitted by the court.

Cases for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are being prepared for filing against the suspect.

/atm