By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Police officers arrested five high-value individuals (HVI) and seized from them more than P4.7 million worth of suspected shabu in a sting operation in Taguig City on Monday.
In a statement Tuesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) – Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) chief PBGEN. Eleazar Matta said the suspects, identified as alias “Maeng”, 55, of Tramo Street in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque City, and alias “Tong”, 32, of Purok 7 FTI in Taguig, were arrested along Langka Road in Western Bicutan, Taguig City at about 5:45 p.m.
The suspects yielded approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P3.4 million and non-drug evidence.
At 9:55 p.m., the PDEG operatives also arrested three unnamed high-value targets inside a house along Mangondato Street, Maharlika Village, Taguig City.
Authorities seized four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets, each containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 200 grams, with an estimated street value of P1.3 million.
Matta praised the relentless efforts of the police operating units to combat illegal drugs.
“The successful buy-bust operation carried out by the PNP-DEG has effectively dismantled a dangerous drug group, safeguarding local communities from further harm. With millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs seized, this operation has greatly contributed to the safety of the area. The community continues to place their trust in the PNP-DEG to ensure their streets remain secure,” he said.
The arrested suspects, along with the non-drug evidence, are in the custody of the PDEG for proper documentation and disposition while the drug evidence has been forwarded to the PNP Forensic Group at Camp Crame for laboratory examination.