MANILA: Police officers intercepted a vehicle carrying some PHP13.3 billion worth of shabu in Batangas on Monday morning.
Initial reports reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City said the contraband was found in a silver van bearing plate number CBM 5060, driven by 47-year-old Ajalon Michael Zarate.
The van was flagged at a checkpoint in Barangay Pinagkurusan, Alitagtag town at about 9:10 a.m.
The driver could not produce a license.
When officers asked that a blue woven sack partly covering the van’s contents be removed, they discovered the big plastic bags containing shabu.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and Police Regional Office-Calabarzon chief Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas rushed to the scene.
In a press briefing, Abalos said an initial screening by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confirmed that the confiscated substances were indeed shabu, weighing approximately two tons.
‘We cannot give
you any information as of this time. Nagpa-media lang kami just to show to you na intact ito (We just called the media to show you that these are intact),’ Abalos said.
He said the illegal drugs would undergo inventory before destruction.
Abalos also lauded the Alitagtag Municipal Police Station, led by Capt. Luis de Luna Jr., whom he said would be recommended for promotion.
Source: Philippines News Agency