MANILA, Philippines — A habal-habal rider (illegal bike-for-hire) was arrested for possession of shabu (crystal meth) worth P170,000 during a buy-bust operation in Makati City Friday morning.
An initial report from Makati police identified the suspect as Quilben Jakiri Pacheco, 24, a resident of Taguig City.
Elements of Eastern Police District Drug Enforcement Unit (EPD-DEU) under Capt. Allan Hernandez, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Makati Police DEU under Lt. Art Grabillo conducted the joint anti-drug operation.
The arrest came after Pacheco sold P500 worth of shabu to an undercover law enforcer along Sampaguita Street Barangay Comembo at 12:05 a.m.
Hernandez told INQUIRER.net that Pacheco, who recently joined the bike-for-hire business, is also a notorious supplier of illegal drugs in Pasig City.
“Bago lang siyang naghabal-habal pero according sa informant namin malakas talaga siya magsupply (He is a new habal-habal rider but according to our informant, he is a notorious supplier of illegal drugs),” Hernandez said.
Seized from Pacheco was 25 grams of shabu worth P170,000 and marked money worth P500.
Police said the shabu was brought to EPD’s Crime Laboratory while the suspect is now under the custody of the EPD Drug Enforcement Unit.
Pacheco will face charges for violation of Section 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) under Article 2 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.