Police arrested three suspected drug traders-two of whom have previous drug cases-in separate buy-bust operations in this city on Thursday, Sept. 17.
Cops also seized more than P592,000 worth of suspected ‘shabu’ (crystal meth), authorities said.
Lucena City police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Hernandez said in a report that operatives from the Drug Enforcement Unit arrested a 34-year-old suspected street-level drug pusher and his cohort.
The two allegedly sold P500 worth of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer in Barangay Ibabang Iyam at around 8 a.m.
Police said the two suspects were found in possession of five heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P473,280.
According to police, the 34-year-old suspect had previously been charged in a drug case in 2019 and was released in 2024.
Later, at 5:45 p.m., police operatives conducted another buy-bust operation in Barangay Ilayang Iyam, resulting in the arrest of a 47-year-old suspected street drug pusher.
The suspect allegedly yielded four heat-sealed sachets containing suspected shabu valued at P119,544.
Police said the suspect had a previous drug case filed in 2013 and was released through plea bargaining in 2018.
The arrested suspects were taken into police custody and are set to face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The total estimated value of the suspected shabu seized in the two operations was P592,824.