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LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Police anti-narcotics operatives in this capital city of Quezon province arrested two alleged big-time drug traffickers in a buy-bust operation early Monday, seizing more than P530,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth).
Led by Captain Benito Nevera, head of the city police drug enforcement unit, the operation resulted in the arrest of “Zabeth,” 35, and “Cris,” 25, after they sold shabu worth P500 to an undercover agent in Barangay Ibabang Iyam at around 1:24 a.m., said a report by Lt. Col. Dennis de Guzman, Lucena police chief.
Authorities found the suspects in possession of seven plastic sachets containing shabu weighing 26 grams, valued at about P176,800, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s assessment.
READ: 2 high-value drug traffickers yield P754,000 shabu in Lucena City
At the prevailing street price of P20,400 per gram, the seized illegal drugs are worth about P530,400.
The report identified Zabeth and Cris as high-value individuals (HVI), those financiers, traffickers, manufacturers, and importers of illegal drugs, as well as leaders or members of drug syndicates.
Lucena police are conducting further investigations to determine the source of the illegal drugs.
The suspects are in police custody and are facing formal charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
