SHABU PRICE SOARS

INTENSIFIED efforts by the authorities to stamp out illegal drugs in
Metro Manila has led to a dramatic rise in the street value of
methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as shabu.

This was revealed yesterday by Senior Supt. Abe Lemos, chief of the
Metro Manila regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Lemos said from P2,000 per gram a couple of weeks ago, the price of
shabu has gone up to P3,500 per gram, forcing drug pushers in Metro
Manila to source the banned substance in nearby provinces.

Lemos made the disclosure after his men under Chief Insp. Helson Walin
and Mannan Muarip arrested two more suspected drug pushers in Cabuyao,
Laguna last Thursday.

He identified the suspects as Abdul Jabbar Abdul Rahim and Ara
Natangura Nato. Seized from them were 10 grams of shabu, Lemos said.

"Masyado na kasing mainit ang Metro Manila para sa mga pusher, mahal
pa ang shabu dito kaya sa labas na sila kumukuha," Lemos said.

He said the dismantling of the "shabu tiangge" in Pasig City last
February and the subsequent closure of several drug dens have affected
the supply of shabu in the metropolis.

Last Wednesday, authorities also intercepted a closed-door van bound
for Metro Manila and carrying newly mixed shabu in 19 plastic
containers worth P18 million.