AN EX-CONVICT has been arrested after authorities found him in possession of P6.8 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Camansi in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 Acting Director Alex Tablate identified the arrested individual as alias Daryl, 30, a jobless resident of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.
The operation was conducted by the PDEA - Regional Special Enforcement Team (RSET), Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group, Special Operations Unit 7, and Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 3 at 4:25 p.m. on May 3, 2025.
During the operation, authorities seized a sealed transparent plastic containing an estimated 1,000 grams of suspected shabu.
Also confiscated were the buy-bust money used in the transaction and the suspect’s cell phone.
PDEA 7 Information Officer Leia Alcantara said the arrest was the culmination of a four-month case buildup following information received from a confidential informant.
Intelligence gathered indicated that Daryl allegedly had the capacity to distribute up to five kilograms of shabu monthly from his supplier.
Further investigation revealed that Daryl had a prior conviction for possession of illegal drugs in 2014 and was released from prison in December 2024 after serving his sentence.
The seized evidence has been forwarded to the PDEA 7’s laboratory for chemical analysis and proper disposition.
PDEA 7 is currently preparing charges against the suspect for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. / AYB