ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives arrested on Saturday, August 24, a 20-year-old drug personality who yielded at least P1.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in Quiapo in Manila.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) National Capital Region (NCR) Director Joel Plaza identified the suspect as Saiben Alamada, 20, a tricycle driver in Barangay 384, Zone 39 in Quiapo.

He said Alamada was arrested in a drug bust conducted on Saturday afternoon.

Confiscated during the operation were white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu with an estimated street value of P1.36 million.

In Pasig City, PDEA operatives also arrested two auto mechanics for allegedly peddling illegal drugs.

Plaza identified the arrested suspects as Ryan Caiton, 29, and Julius Villanueva, both residents of Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.

Plaza said the suspects were arrested at around 5 p.m. at Total gasoline station along Urbano Velasco Avenue, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City after they allegedly sold illegal drugs to a PDEA agent who served as a poseur buyer.

Recovered in the said operation were suspected shabu with an estimated value of P170,000 and other drug paraphernalia.

Criminal charges of violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspects. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)