3 Nabbed, P3.4-M ‘Shabu’ Seized in Buy-Bust Op in Legazpi City

Anti-narcotics operatives in Bicol are hunting down a drug syndicate leader operating in the region who allegedly sources illegal drugs from a Muslim community in Taguig City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

In an interview, PDEA 5 (Bicol) Acting Director Christian Frivaldo said PHP3.4 million worth of suspected shabu were seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bogtong here Thursday.

Joint PDEA and police operatives arrested Victor Balictar Jr., Steven Roger Altea, and Kenjie Babasa as they were selling two knot-tied plastic bags containing 500 grams of shabu to an undercover PDEA agent.

Frivaldo said the arrested suspects were allegedly members of a drug syndicate that supplies drugs to barangays Oro Site, Bitano and Bonot, which are considered as “illegal drug hubs.”

The leader of the drug syndicate was able to escape during the drug operation.

Frivaldo refused to divulge the identity of the drug leader as it could ruin the agency’s ongoing surveillance operation. (PNA)