A Large Drug Shipment Intercepted in Masbate

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur Sep 8, 2010 - Joint elements of the AFP and PNP intercepted a shipment of shabu in Masbate port at around 10am today.

Senior Superintendent Thomas Seminiano, Masbate Provincial Police Commander said that he sent the combined elements of soldiers and policemen to arrest the drug dealers after receiving a tip-off from a 'reliable informant'.

Seminiano said that 5kgs of shabu was confiscated from two (2) females who transported them in boxes as they arrived in the port of Masbate City. The street value of the drug haul was pegged at P50.0M by PDEA authorities.

The sea vessel that the suspects boarded came from Pilar town in Sorsogon where they disembarked from a bus coming from Metro Manila.

The suspects and the confiscated drugs are now held in Masbate Provincial Police Office as coordination efforts are being exerted through PDEA Region 5 General Pedrito Magsino.

The two (2) arrested women were identified through their presented documents as Faith Yhinulva and Hope Florereta, both natives of Cebu City.  The duo are facing drug raps for transporting illegal drugs.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan has directed the Army forces to throw its support behind the PNP in its law enforcement operations in Masbate.

A joint AFP-PNP task force is also being reestablished to dismantle the private armed groups in the area.