P3.4-M shabu seized in Manila bust; 5 suspects arrested
MANILA, Philippines — Police officers seized P3.4 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) and arrested five suspected drug pushers during a buy-bust in Ermita, Manila on Friday evening.
A report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the arrested suspects as Fahad Masla Pasandalan, 26; Benjee Abas, 20; Kanuto Usop Nasa, 55; Datu Ali Baking Nasa, 29, and Rohane Lampak Guiamed, 26.
According to the NCRPO, the bust was conducted by elements of the Ermita police station drug enforcement unit and by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-National Capital Region Office, along Maria Orosa Street in Ermita at 11 p.m.
Police said the suspects were arrested after an undercover police officer bought four heat-sealed plastic sachets containing the suspected shabu.
Seized during the bust were 500 grams of shabu worth P3.4 million, an eco bag, a Toyota Vios sedan; a sling bag, two cellphones, and the P1,000 marked cash used in the bust.
The arrested suspects are now detained at the Ermita police station while charges for violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), Sectional 11 (possession of illegal drugs) and Section 26b to Section 5 (conspiracy) under Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied for filing against them before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.