Woman Nabbed with PHP3.5 Million Worth of ‘Shabu’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A parlor owner was arrested with more than half a kilo of suspected shabu in a police anti-drug operation the evening of May 31 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Alias Bhing, 45, a resident of Zone 2, Barangay Daga, Sta. Barbara, was alone when she met a police poseur buyer along the roadside in Barangay Lanag around 10:10 p.m. Saturday.

She was arrested after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP50,000.

Upon frisking, police recovered seven more sachets of suspected shabu, PHP1,570 in cash, a mobile phone, a pink pouch, a leather bag and other non-drug-related items.

Captain Glenn Soliman, team leader of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), said the seized shabu weighed about 525 grams with a total standard drug price of PHP3.57 million.

While the suspect owns a beauty salon, her main income was allegedly derived from the illegal drug trade.

Soliman said she thrived in the business through her connection to a boyfriend, a known drug personality currently detained at the New Bilibid Prison.

He said Bhing has known the inmate for about 20 years.

The detainee allegedly controls drug transactions from the source in Metro Manila to distributors in Iloilo.

Following the inmate’s instructions, Bhing reportedly picked up supplies from a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) bus terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Soliman believes the suspect has been involved in the illegal drug trade for several years.

She does not directly transact with buyers unless she receives clearance from her inmate boyfriend.

Bhing is now detained and will be charged with violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.