Batangas City buy-bust operations yield P2.2M shabu, gun

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — Police confiscated more than P2.2 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) and an illegal firearm from two suspected big-time drug traffickers in a buy-bust operation Tuesday in Batangas City.

The Batangas police reported that anti-narcotics agents detained “Rommel,” 51, and “Marco,” 29, after they sold P200,000 worth of shabu to an undercover policeman in Barangay Dumuclay on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 2:15 p.m.

Rommel, a fisherman, and Marco, a construction worker, were found in possession of two-knot-tied plastic bags containing 330 grams of meth with an estimated value of P2,244,000 and an undocumented caliber .45 pistol loaded with six bullets.

Batangas police are investigating the source of the drugs.

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The arrested suspects, both residents of Bauan town in Batangas province, are classified as high-value individuals in the illegal drugs trade.

Colonel Jacinto Malinao Jr., Batangas provincial police chief, said the successful operation was a “significant blow” to the drug syndicate in the province.

“We will continue to intensify our efforts to rid Batangas of illegal drugs and ensure the safety and security of our communities,” Malinao said in a statement.

The suspects were detained and are facing complaints of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.