Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 and various police units seized 20 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P136 million from two men acting as drug couriers from Luzon during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Uling, Naga City, on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Suspects Identified
The arrested individuals were identified as alias Romy, 57, a former electrician from Southern Leyte, and alias Dante, 47, a construction worker from Laguna. The operation took place at 4:50 PM in Purok Gaway-Gaway, Barangay Uling.
According to PDEA 7, the suspects had been under surveillance for a long time as they were believed to be responsible for delivering large supplies of shabu from Manila to Cebu.
Confession and Modus Operandi
The suspects admitted that they had just arrived from Luzon and transported the 20 large packs of shabu, each weighing one kilogram, by car. Once PDEA 7 confirmed the suspects were in Cebu, agents initiated a buy-bust operation by posing as buyers interested in purchasing P1 million worth of illegal drugs. The meeting was arranged in Barangay Uling. After the suspects handed over the contraband, the operatives immediately identified themselves and made the arrest.
During a search of the vehicle, operatives discovered an additional 19 large packs of suspected shabu hidden in the back compartment.
Alias Romy claimed they were merely instructed to deliver the cargo to Cebu for a fee of P130,000. He added that they were told it was just a parcel, but he suspected it was shabu while traveling to Cebu.
PDEA Investigation
Leia Alcantara, information officer of PDEA 7, stated that the suspects had been under case buildup for over a month after the agency received intelligence about their illegal activities. Based on PDEA 7 intelligence, the duo could deliver over 30 kilograms of shabu monthly, covering the entire province of Cebu and its three major cities.
Alias Romy is originally from Leyte but had lived in Toledo City after marrying before moving to Laguna. Alias Dante is from Zamboanga but also relocated to Laguna. Both are now in the custody of PDEA 7 and face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
