By ERMA R. EDERA
Police seized Sunday around R5 million worth of shabu from two alleged members of an illegal drug syndicate during a buy-bust operation in Malate, Manila.
Police identified the suspects as Patrick Baltazar, 23, a resident of Villaruel Street, Pasay City, and Angelica Decena, 21, of Laging Handa Street, Pasay City.
Investigation showed that Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 drug enforcement team led by Senior Inspector Ildefonso Quilang conducted an entrapment against the suspects in front of a restaurant on the service road of Roxas Boulevard at around 4:50 p.m.
Supt. Igmedio Bernaldez, MPD Station 5 commander, said the suspects were being grilled to identify the other members of the syndicate as well as the source of the drugs they peddle.
Police recovered from the suspects 700 grams of suspected shabu placed in eight transparent plastic sachets with an estimated value of R5 million.
The suspect will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).