By Jason De Asis
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday seized approximately 101 kilograms of suspected shabu worth PHP686.8 million during a buy-bust operation in this city.
In a statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez said two high-value suspects — a Chinese national and a Filipina — were arrested during the operation.
Nerez identified the Chinese suspect as “Wang,” 31, a resident of Clark, Pampanga, and the Filipino as “Shania,” 24, from Tarlac City.
The two were apprehended in a mid-morning entrapment operation along Friendship Highway in Barangay Sto. Domingo.
“This major bust demonstrates our continued resolve to dismantle high-level drug syndicates and seize bulk volumes of narcotics before they hit the streets,” Nerez said.
He described the arrested suspects as “key players in large-scale drug trafficking operations in the country.”
The operation was spearheaded by the PDEA Intelligence Service and supported by various enforcement units, including the military and police.
Seized during the operation were 96 tea bags and five plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, more commonly known as shabu, along with a Toyota Sienna, a mobile phone, and identification cards.
Nerez said the suspects will face criminal charges under Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
He said the operation was part of the government’s intensified crackdown on organized drug networks in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.
During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July last year, Marcos pledged to continue the bloodless anti-narcotics drive, emphasizing that extermination is not a part of his administration’s campaign. (PNA)
