Cops seize P442-K 'shabu' nab 3 in Kalinga

BAGUIO CITY -- Three persons in Kalinga province were arrested in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday, yielding a total of 65 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P442,000, the Police Regional Office - Cordillera said Wednesday.

Arrested were Annabel Estrada, 40; Marlon Olimos, 32; and Jackielou Macabenta, all residents of Paliparan 3, Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The three were nabbed after selling two plastic sachets of shabu with an approximate weight of 10 grams to undercover police officers who posed as buyers inside a coffee shop of a hotel in Barangay Bulanao at about 10 a.m.

At least 55 grams shabu were seized from the suspects after a body search by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Regional Intelligence Unit 14 (RIU14) and Tabuk City Police immediately following the arrest.

Also confiscated from the suspects were cellular phones used in transacting the sale and the P2,200 buy-bust money.

The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 also known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Edgar Apalla estimated the total cost of confiscated drugs based on the P6,800 per gram Dangerous Drug Board market value.

Apalla said records would show that several arrests in the region involved “tourists” or those who visit the Cordillera to sell illegal drugs.

“Kung saan may bumibili, dinadala nila and droga at ang bayaran nangyayari sa bangko o kaya sa remittance centers kaya napakahirap mag-track (They go where there are buyers and the payment is deposited through the bank or sent through remittance centers, making it difficult to track them),” Apalla said. -- PNA