‘Notorious’ drug dealer in Albay killed, P6.8M shabu seized

LEGAZPI CITY — A P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu (crystal meth) was seized on Friday from an alleged notorious illegal drug dealer who was killed in a shootout with anti-narcotics police operatives in a drug sting in Camalig town in Albay, police said.

Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo, Bicol police regional director, said the suspect, Antonis Tupas, was allegedly a high-value target who was transacting with an undercover agent in Barangay Quiringay, Camalig around 11:30 a.m.when he pulled out a gun after sensing he was transacting with policemen.

Policemen shot him in the ensuing gun battle, said Estomo.

The foiled deal was for 100 grams of shabu worth P300,000 but Tupas was later found to have around a kilo of the prohibited drug with him.

Tupas, a resident of Barangay Cruzada in Legazpi City, died while being brought to the town rural health unit.

Estomo, in a statement, said the suspect reportedly got his drug supply from a certain “Malik,” said to be a known illegal drug supplier currently detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Manila.