CAMP GEN. MALVAR, Batangas City – Anti-illegal drug operatives of the Batangas Provincial Intelligence Branch-Drug Enforcement Unit (PIB-DEU) nabbed a woman in possession of 150 grams suspected “shabu” worth about PHP1.03 million early Thursday morning here.
Batangas provincial police director Senior Supt. Edwin Aguilan Quilates said the suspect, identified only Norhaya Mamakal Mamantal of Pasig City, was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the PIB-DEU, led by Police Chief Inspector Lory E. Terrazona, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Calabarzon.
Initial investigations disclosed the suspect, who came from Pasig City, headed towards Batangas City to deliver “shabu.”
Further investigation revealed that the anti-drug enforcers deciphered the mobile phone conversations of the police asset and the source of the contraband, confirming the illegal drugs were picked up by the arrested suspect from Bacoor City, Cavite.
Police are continuing their investigations and intelligence efforts to ascertain the identity of the drug source.
Senior Insp. Hazel P. Luma-ang, provincial police public information office chief, said the anti-drug operatives recovered from the suspect the PHP 120,000 marked money with the initial markings; a small brown envelope; three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of the suspected shabu traded during the deal; a color blue cell phone box; backpack bag; a Samsung basic cell phone and around 150 grams of suspected ‘shabu’ with an estimated street value of PHP 1,030,000.
Luma-ang said the city’s Balagtas Police Assistance Center (PAC) conducted the inventory of the confiscated drugs and pieces of evidence in the presence of the suspect, Barangay Balagtas kagawad (village councilor) Jun Alea and media representative Lito Rendora.
The suspect was brought to the Batangas Medical Center for examination, after which she and the seized evidence were brought to the Batangas Provincial Crime Laboratory Office (BPCLO) for further drug test and examinations, respectively. (Jojo C. Magsombol/PNA)
