MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P9 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from five men arrested in a buy-bust operation over the weekend in Bukidnon province.
The shabu, measuring 1.005 kilos, was recovered from the suspects, who were caught red-handed selling the contraband to undercover anti-narcotics agents.
PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. named those arrested as Marlon Arenal, 39; Wilbert Pacion, 34; Eugene Pasabilla, 35, all from Bukidnon; Junaid Mondas, 22; and Baguinda Carim, 29; both of Lanao del Sur.
The seized shabu had an estimated market value of P9,045,000, the official added.
Cacdac said the five suspects were big-time peddlers of the illegal drug in Kalilangan town in Bukidnon.
The men were arrested following a buy-bust operation at around 2 p.m. on Sunday in Central Poblacion, Kalilangan town.
Joint elements of the PDEA and the local police collared them after the suspects initially sold five grams of shabu to undercover anti-narcotics agents.
The five were frisked after their arrest, and government agents discovered one more kilo of shabu in their possession.
Cacdac said the suspects would be charged for selling illegal drugs, conspiracy to sell and drug possession under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
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