INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY – Authorities in Northern Samar are conducting a manhunt operation against a man whose car contained 37 kilograms of shabu (methamphetamine) with a street value of P277.50 million.
The suspect, identified only as “Sander” and a resident of Barangay Tubod, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, was driving a dark turquoise Toyota Yaris Cross without a license plate when he was flagged down for traffic violations, including the absence of a seat belt, along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar on Sunday, Sept. 1.
When asked to present the vehicle’s official documents, the suspect only provided a sales invoice and failed to produce an official receipt or certificate of registration, the police said.
READ: PNP eyes foreign drug syndicates in Samar’s cocaine haul
During questioning, the suspect reportedly became visibly nervous before he abandoned the vehicle and quickly fled into the mountainous area of Barangay Jubasan.
Despite efforts to pursue him, the suspect managed to evade arrest, leaving behind his cellphone.
The joint team, composed of the Northern Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team, Regional Intelligence Division and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, conducted a thorough inspection of the abandoned vehicle.
They discovered 37 packs of shabu concealed in black plastic bags with Chinese markings with an estimated commercial value of P277.50 million.
Authorities urged the public to report any information that could help in the arrest of the suspect.