Authorities seized over P700 million worth of shabu in a major drug bust in Plaridel, Bulacan over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Monday.
PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said the operation led to the recovery of 103 kilograms of suspected shabu, as part of a pre-planned case operation by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
PDEG director Brigadier General Edwin Quilates shared that the National Capital Region Special Operations Unit had been tracking the suspects for some time, monitoring movements between Region 3 and Metro Manila before executing a successful buy-bust operation on Saturday night.
Two suspects were arrested: a 40-year-old Filipino identified as “Ry” and a 55-year-old Chinese national, “Lian.” Both are considered high-value targets.
Quilates said Lian allegedly used a seafood shop, restaurant, and warehouse located in Guiginto and Plaridel as covers for the drug operation. Authorities suspect the narcotics may have been smuggled through maritime routes, as the packaging was found wet—echoing recent cases of floating shabu parcels in Philippine waters.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the smuggling network.