P5.4-M shabu seized at NAIA

At least 800 grams of shabu, with an estimated street value of P5.4 million, were intercepted by the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) over the weekend.

Authorities said the illegal drugs were hidden in a package declared as art table, which arrived at the NAIA FedEx warehouse from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa on Friday.

Customs NAIA district collector Mimel Talusan said the shipment was consigned to Joy Bido Mariel of Cavite. The sender is Asuman Lopeta.

The shabu shipment was turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforce- ment Agency.

Drug suspect slain in Tondo

In Manila, a suspected drug pusher who had gone big-time died in a supposed shootout with police during a sting in Tondo yesterday.

Police identified the fatality as Benjamin Villanueva, 44, also Manila’s No. 2 most wanted person.

Anti-narcotics officers of the Manila Police District Station 1 led by Chief Inspector Manny Israel and Senior Inspector Dave Abarra said they were able to buy shabu from Villanueva prior to the firefight.

Villanueva was declared dead on arrival at the Tondo Medical Center.

Police said they recovered a 9mm pistol and two sachets of shabu from the suspect.

In Quezon City, at least P136,000 worth of shabu was seized during a raid along Piopongco street in Barangay San Anthony.

The operation led to the arrest of Anthony Salcena, 44, who was on the drug watchlist.

Police said 30 other suspects were arrested in separate operations in Quezon City.

In Pasig, a barangay secretary, who was considered a high-value target, was arrested during a raid.

Nilo Alvarez, secretary of Barangay Kalawaan, allegedly yielded 12 grams of shabu worth P40,000, said Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba.

Alvarez tested positive for drug use in 2016 and was suspended by the barangay council, police said.

Four other drug suspects – Ariel Torrico, Jim Xavier, Federico Hibay and Dennis de Guzman – were arrested during a sting along C. Raymundo street in Barangay Rosario.

In Marikina City, four men were apprehended by police for alleged drug possession. They were Ruben Quelliosa, 42; Ryan Domingo, 28; Cinas Balagasay, 41, and Jessie Ian Dioso, 29.

The suspects allegedly yielded eight sachets of shabu and P500 in marked money. –