P1M ‘shabu’ seized from 2 drug suspects in Nueva Ecija; another slain in ‘shootout’

CABANATUAN CITY –– Two suspected drug traders yielded over P1 million worth of “shabu” (crystal meth), while another suspect was killed in separate anti-drug operations in Nueva Ecija province on Wednesday, the police said.

Col. Jaime Santos, acting Nueva Ecija police director, said they arrested Christopher de la Cruz, 33, and Gendel Alamon, 44, after being caught with 150.35 grams of shabu worth P1,022,380.

The two suspects also yielded a handgun and ammunition during a buy-bust operation here around 3:30 a.m.

In Zaragoza town, a certain August Caling, 43, died after reportedly engaging lawmen in a shootout during a buy-bust operation at 7:50 p.m., according to Major Jaime Ferrer, municipal police chief.

Ferrer said the suspect fired a .38-caliber revolver after sensing he was transacting with an undercover agent.

Forensic investigators recovered the suspect’s gun, 12 sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle from the scene of the encounter. INQ

LZB