Shabu worth P1.5M seized from ‘high-value’ target in Quezon

INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — Police anti-illegal drug operatives in Quezon province seized more than P1.5 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) from an alleged big-time drug trafficker arrested in a buy-bust operation in this city.

In a report Thursday, May 1, Quezon police said members of the provincial drug enforcement unit, led by Capt. Julius Villafuerte, arrested the suspect, identified only as “Mac-Mac,” 47, after he allegedly sold P1,000 worth of meth to an undercover officer in Barangay Dalahican at 6:40 p.m.

Authorities said the suspect was found in possession of one plastic sachet and three sealed plastic bags containing suspected shabu weighing 78 grams.

The Dangerous Drugs Board valued the seizure at about P530,400.
However, the report said the street value of the meth is estimated at P1,591,200, based on the prevailing price of P20,400 per gram.

Police identified Mac-Mac as a “high-value individual” (HVI) in the illegal drug trade, referring to financiers, traffickers, manufacturers, importers, or leaders and members of drug syndicates.

Quezon police said they were continuing their investigation to determine the source of the illegal drugs.

The suspect is in police custody and is facing formal charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.