Bamban, Tarlac—Government agents seized P3.4 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and arrested two alleged illegal drug traffickers during a drug bust at Barangay San Roque here Tuesday evening.
The suspects were identified as Asnoden Hassan, alias Anthon, 23, of Baltazar Kaliwa, Bgy Sto. Tomas, and Renz Keizer Tarca Bermudez, alias Renz, 19 of E. Santos, Bgy Palatiw, both of Pasig City.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 3 (PDEA3) director Christian Frivaldo said the suspects are among major suppliers of shabu in Tarlac and other parts of Central Luzon. He said the duo was placed under discreet surveillance due to reports on their alleged involvement in the drug trade.
Frivaldo said the suspects met the PDEA poseur buyer along MacArthur Higway (Old Manila North Road) in this town on board Toyota Vios (ABQ 2767) with 500 grams of shabu intended for delivery.
The suspects were immediately arrested after they alighted from the car with the item moments later, said Frivaldo.
Seized from the suspects were a reseable plastic bag containing white crystalline substance suspected as “shabu” weighing about 500 grams, a keypad cellphone, marked money, five bundles of play money and the car they used.
The suspects are detained at the PDEA detention cell, as violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) of Article II in relation to Section 26B (conspiracy to sell) of Republic Act 9165 are being readied against them.
