P306-M ‘shabu’ seized in Cebu City’s ‘biggest haul’ in a decade

CEBU CITY, Philippines — More than P300 million worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) was seized in two separate anti-drug operations in Cebu City over the weekend, including a 41-kilo haul that authorities described as the largest drug seizure in Central Visayas in the past decade.

A total of 45 kilos of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P306 million, were confiscated during successive buy-bust operations on Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, according to the region’s Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7).

Four individuals were arrested in the operations, which authorities said dealt a significant blow to the illegal drug trade in the region.

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The biggest seizure took place Sunday, Oct. 11, in Barangay Mabolo, where anti-narcotics operatives recovered approximately 41 kilos of suspected shabu worth P278.8 million from a motorcycle taxi driver.

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The confiscation was the largest recorded in Central Visayas since 2016, said PDEA-7 Regional Director Joel Plaza.

The operation was carried out along Arca Street in Barangay Mabolo at around 7:18 a.m. by PDEA-7 personnel, in coordination with the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operating Unit, Naval Forces Central and Cebu City Police Office Station 4.

Authorities identified the arrested suspect as alias Erwin, 30, a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) driver residing in Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City.

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Operatives recovered 41 vacuum-sealed plastic packs containing approximately 41,000 grams of suspected shabu (local name for methamphetamine hydrochloride), with an estimated market value of P278.8 million.

Also confiscated were the marked money used in the buy-bust operation, a cellular phone, a vehicle, and other pieces of non-drug evidence.

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Sunday’s operation stems from a month-long case buildup triggered by a tip the agency received from a confidential informant, said PDEA-7 information officer Leia Alcantara.

The suspect, Erwin, reportedly has the capacity to dispose of between 5 and 10 kilos weekly here in Cebu.

The seized substances were subsequently submitted to laboratories for examination, while the suspect was placed under temporary custody at the agency’s headquarters in Lahug, Cebu City.

Erwin faces charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165), which penalizes the illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs.

Under the law, the offenses may carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to P10 million.

The record-breaking seizure came less than 24 hours after another anti-drug operation in Barangay Bulacao, where authorities confiscated approximately four kilos of suspected shabu worth P27.2 million.

The operation took place at Saint Jude Phase 2 at 9:45 p.m. on Oct. 9 and was conducted jointly by PDEA-7 and Cebu City Police Office’s Pardo Station (Station 7).

Three suspects were arrested, including alias Joseph, 33, a food vendor residing in Barangay Mohon, Talisay City.

His two alleged accomplices were identified as alias Eduardo, 24, and his nephew, alias Harold, 25, both mechanics from Barangay Datagon in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Authorities recovered five vacuum-sealed packs containing approximately 4,000 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P27.2 million.

The operatives also seized the buy-bust money, a sedan, two cellular phones, and other non-drug evidence.

The confiscated substances were turned over to the PDEA-7 laboratory for examination, while the three suspects were placed under temporary custody at the agency’s regional headquarters in Lahug.

Like the suspect arrested in Mabolo, the three face charges for violating anti-illegal drug laws.

Citing information from investigators, Alcantara said that the two operations are not connected.