PDEA-12 seizes P1.5-M 'shabu' in Tacurong City buy-bust

TACURONG CITY --Anti-drug operatives recovered around Php 1.5 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu following a buy-bust operation in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat on Saturday morning.Lyndon Aspacio, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 12 director, said the illegal drugs were seized from the possession of alleged big time drug pusher Purita Reyes Jalos, who is believed part of a major illegal drug syndicate operating in the region.He said Jalos was arrested by their operatives at around 8:30 a.m. at the vicinity of the Tacurong City public terminal in Barangay New Isabela after trying to sell shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as a buyer.The official said a subsequent search on the suspect led to the recovery of two big packs of suspected shabu weighing around 200 grams and with an estimated market value of Php 1.5 million.He said they also seized a black Samsung cellular phone that was reportedly used by Jalos during the transaction. She is considered a high-value target given the magnitude of her drug transactions,” Aspacio said.The 47 year-old Jalos was listed by the PDEA-12 as a resident of Barangay Mabuhay in this city.The suspect, who is temporarily detained at the lock up cell of the PDEA-12 headquarters in Gen. Santos City, will be charged for violation of Section 5 or sale of dangerous drugs under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.(PNA)