Driver yields P1.3-M shabu in Tacloban City

Van-for-hire driver Joel Malazarte is detained at the Tacloban City Police Office after he was caught with P1.3 million worth of shabu during a sting operation on May 10, 2017. (PHOTO BY ROBERT DEJON / INQUIRER VISAYAS)

TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities recovered at least P1.3 million worth of shabu from a driver during a buy bust operation in San Jose District here on Wednesday.

Joel Malazarte, 37, was detained at the Tacloban City Police Office Custodial Facility pending filing of charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against him.

Operatives from both the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency and the TCPO’s City Drug Enforcement Unit were surprised to recover 170 grams of shabu from the suspect since he was not identified as one of the city’s top drug personalities.

An undercover policeman only bought P500 worth of shabu from Malazarta, a driver of a van-for-hire, during a sting operation at Barangay 88, Fisherman’s Village in San Jose District on Wednesday.

After the operatives pounced on him, his backpack was searched.

Inside the backpack, the police found a cellphone box containing 12 pieces medium-sized and two pieces small-sized plastic sachets containing “shabu.” CBB

The P1.3 million shabu seized from van-for-hire driver Joel Malazarte on May 10, 2017 in Tacloban City (PHOTO BY ROBERT DEJON / INQUIRER VISAYAS)