Authorities seized 500 kilograms of shabu worth ₱3.4 billion in a buy-bust operation in Zambales on Tuesday (Sep. 7).
Four Chinese nationals were killed following a shootout in the operation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a hotel resort in Candelaria, Zambales at around 12:00 p.m.
According to the authorities, the suspects fired shots at the incoming operatives who were about to arrest them after receiving the ₱12-M buy-bust money from an undercover agent.
The law enforcement agencies found 25 sacks of shabu weighing 500kgs along with four guns, ammo shells, and two cars.
An alleged member of a transnational drug trafficking syndicate who delivers illegal drugs in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, was killed in the operation.
The operatives said the suspects use their assets such as resorts as a front facility for selling shabu. They also have extensive contacts with other countries connected to selling the said illegal drug.
“Lumalabas ay galling ito sa international waters ang tawag natin dito ay shipside na, kumbaga, ‘yung pinanggalingan ng droga ay nasa karagatan at sinundo ng Bangka or ng speedboat para idaong dito sa coastline,” PDEA Director-General Wilkins Villanueva explained.
Meanwhile, three Chinese nationals believed to be involved with drug suspects in Zambales were arrested in Tipo Exit in Hermosa, Bataan
Authorities recovered 80kgs of alleged shabu worth ₱544 million inside sacks similar to the Zambales operation.
PNP Chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar emphasized the importance of the unified operational guidelines between the PNP and PDEA, as well as the cooperation of other government agencies to successfully conduct operations against illegal drugs.
Report from Bernard Jaudian/NGS- bny
