Vehicle aboard RoRo vessel yields PHP20.4 million of shabu

DRUG HAUL. Agents of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Western Visayas conduct an inventory of the PHP20.4 million worth of suspected shabu seized from two male suspects at Bredco Port, Reclamation Area, Bacolod City on Monday (Jan. 24, 2022). One of the suspects said he did not know they have the prohibited substance in their vehicle. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-Western Visayas)

BACOLOD CITY – Government operatives arrested two suspects caught transporting three kilos of suspected shabu on board a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel at Bredco port in the reclamation area here on Monday afternoon.

A report of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Western Visayas (PDEA-6) identified the suspects as Aslanie Usman and Jalanie Ambulo, who were intercepted upon their arrival from Dumangas, Iloilo at around 12:50 p.m.

The suspected shabu seized was valued at PHP20.4 million, based on the standard drug price of PHP6.8 million per kilo.

“Agent Bamboo,” the PDEA-6 Special Enforcement Team leader, said the prohibited drugs were found in the trunk of the suspects’ vehicle after the contraband was detected during random K9 inspection.

In a media interview, Usman denied knowledge of the prohibited substance, adding he does not even know what shabu looks like.

“I was shocked when they told me there’s shabu. I asked, ‘Sir, what’s in there?” he added.

He said they came from a wedding in Batangas and were on their home to Marawi City.

The suspects were brought to the PDEA-Negros Occidental office for custody and further investigation.

Aside from PDEA-6 Special Enforcement Team and Negros Occidental Provincial Office Special Intelligence Unit agents, the operation was also conducted by members of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group-Bacolod, Bacolod City Police Office Station 2, and Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental. (PNA)

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