BACOLOD CITY, June 9 (PNA) — In its biggest haul in Western Visayas so far, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 6 seized on Monday afternoon a kilo of illegal drug shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P7 million from a drug pusher at the parking lot of a mall in this city.
In a media interview, PDEA-6 Regional Director Paul Ledesma said they confiscated the illegal drugs from Edgardo Justo alias Rey F. Roman, 36, following a test buy wherein a PDEA agent was able to purchase P500 worth of shabu.
Six PDEA operatives, including Ledesma himself, who conducted the operation around 2:00 p.m. outside the Gaisano Grand mall seized a paper bag from Justo that contained slippers and shoes.
When checked, sachets of shabu were found inserted inside the soles of the slippers and shoes.
The operatives conducted surveillance operations days before the buy-bust.
The suspect was monitored picking up contraband at a hotel, claiming a package believed to contain the slippers and shoes where the illegal drugs were found.
On Monday afternoon, he brought the package to his pick-up truck parked outside the mall where PDEA agent Jay-R Espares, posing as buyer, approached him. After the purchase was completed, the suspect was handcuffed. The search on his vehicle yielded the package containing slippers and shoes.
Justo denied that the illegal drugs belong to him, claiming he was just paid P10,000 to serve as courier.
Ledesma said the suspect, who is detained at Police Station 8 here, will be charged for selling and possession of illegal drugs.
The cases are for violation of Sections 5 and 11, respectively, of Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.(PNA)