By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

DRUG BUST. Authorities make an inventory of suspected shabu seized from two Chinese nationals who were arrested in a buy-bust in Barangay Balingasa, Quezon City on Tuesday night (April 21, 2026). More than 41 kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at PHP278.8 million, were seized during the operation. (Photo courtesy of PDEA)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified intelligence-driven operations to dismantle a suspected large-scale drug syndicate following the seizure of 41 kilograms of shabu worth PHP278.8 million and the arrest of two Chinese nationals.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units to step up follow-up operations and track all possible accomplices linked to the case.

“The goal is not only to dismantle all the existing illegal drugs distribution networks. The biggest task is to ensure that these syndicates will be denied opportunity to rebuild and reorganize through aggressive intelligence-gathering and operations,” he said in a news release Friday.

The entrapment on Tuesday night was carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and PNP in Quezon City.

PDEA said the suspects, identified only as “Aye” and “Mok,” were arrested after allegedly negotiating a drug deal with undercover agents.

Authorities seized the illegal drugs from the suspects’ sports utility vehicle, along with mobile phones and an international driver’s permit. They are now facing drug trafficking charges.

Nartatez said intelligence efforts are being strengthened to identify syndicates with possible foreign links.

He warned that foreigners involved in illegal activities will face the full force of Philippine law. (PNA)