PDEA confiscates P510K ‘shabu’ in Iriga City

By Mar Serrano

LEGAZPI CITY -- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents seized PHP510,000 worth of suspected “shabu” from four suspected drug pushers in two separate drug operations in Iriga City on Friday.

Francis Manuel de Lima, alias “Bong”, 39, of Barangay San Agustin, Iriga City was caught selling suspected shabu to an undercover agent in a room at Sam’s Apartelle at around 5:10 p.m., said Christian Frivaldo, acting director of PDEA 5 (Bicol).

De Lima is a high-value target on the PDEA’s drug watch list, Frivaldo said in a phone interview.

The suspect was caught in possession of 25 grams of suspected shabu in seven plastic sachets worth PHP170,000.

In an earlier drug buy-bust at 2:45 p.m. in a room at the Lendes Hotel in Barangay San Isidro, PDEA operatives arrested Ariel Regaspi, 40, of Barangay San Vicente, Bato; Joan Sabanal, 28, of Barangay San Isidro; and Alicia Mae Dice, 19 of Barangay San Francisco.

The operation yielded 50 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP340,000. PDEA agents also recovered a digital weighing scale, cell phone, and a marked PHP1,000 bill.

All suspects did not resist arrest and were brought to the PDEA detention facility in Naga City.

The suspects arrested at the Lendez Hotel were reportedly drug couriers who get their supply from de Lima, Frivaldo said. (PNA)