P163-M drugs seized in Manila

AUTHORITIES recovered on Tuesday evening, June 12, P163 million worth of illegal drugs packed in wrappers marked with Chinese characters during a drug bust in Sta. Ana, Mani l a.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said the Chinese characters indicate that the drugs, estimated to weigh 24 kilograms, came from China.

“Tinitignan pa natin kung paano ito naipasok sa bansa (We are investigating how this entered the country),” he said.

Arrested during the operation were Ian Akira Calabio, 26, and his mother Ruby Calabio, 61. Both are on the drugs watchlist of the National Police District ( NPD) .

The raid on the Calabio’s residence at No. 2641 Interior 21 Pasig Line, Barangay 778, Zone 85, Sta Ana, Manila was conducted after two suspects arrested earlier Tuesday pointed to the address as their source of drugs.

Luzviminda Basilio and Jocelyn Santos were arrested with at least 20 grams of illegal drugs in their possession, said Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año.

NPD chief Clifton Empiso said Basilio and Santos claimed during interrogation that they get their supply from the Sta. Ana address.

“After coordination with the Manila Police District (MPD) kagabi hatinggabi we conducted a buy bust operation doon mismo sa bahay nung mga suspect, after na ma-contact ‘yung alleged drug peddler doon nagkasa na ng buy bust doon sa bahay mismo at positively nakakuha tayo ng drugs,” Empiso said.

Albayalde said the recovery of the said illegal drugs only means that they should not relax in conducting illegal drugs operations.

“Ito na rin ‘yung sinasabi natin na mga naunang pinasok sa bansa kaya marami pang naka-stock dito,” he said. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)