By John Rey Saavedra

ANTI-DRUG  STING. E-bike driver Jay Bard Abaquita (in handcuff), 23, watches as agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas do an on-site inventory of a pack of shabu worth PHP6.8 million in front of a member of the media and Barangay Sambag 1, as well as a representative from the Department of Justice on Monday (Nov. 6, 2023).  Abaquita, who has no previous drug record, is now facing charges in court for violating Republic Act 9165. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-7)

CEBU CITY – An e-bike driver was arrested Monday in an anti-drug sting that resulted in the confiscation of a kilo of “shabu” worth PHP6.8 million, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Central Visayas said on Tuesday.

PDEA-7 operatives, along with personnel of the Naval Forces Central, nabbed Jay Bard Abaquita, 23, of Barangay Suba here.

Abaquita yielded a pack of suspected shabu, weighing around a kilo, a mobile phone, and PHP193 cash during the operation in Sitio Tangkonan, Barangay Sambag 1.

“The pieces of drug evidence will be submitted for chemical analysis and proper disposition,” PDEA-7 said.

Leia Alcantara, PDEA-7 information officer, said Abaquita appeared to be a new personality in the illegal drug trade in this capital city.

“Although he has no previous record of being arrested for drugs, the information came from a confidential informant and from previous operations,” Alcantara told the Philippines News Agency.

Abaquita will be charged with violation of Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)