DISCARDED SHABU. A fast-food chain employee points to a package of suspected shabu stuffed inside a trash bin in a male comfort room in Candelaria, Quezon on Thursday night (Aug. 10, 2023). The parcel is estimated to have a street value of PHP10 million. (Photo from Quezon Provincial Police Office PIO)
CANDELARIA, Quezon – A package containing over half a kilo of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was discovered stuffed inside a trash bin at the male comfort room of a fast-food restaurant in Barangay Poblacion in this town on Thursday night.
Col. Ledon Monte, Quezon provincial police director, told reporters on Friday that the apparently discarded illegal drug was discovered by an employee of the Mang Inasal branch, who quickly reported to authorities.
A report submitted to Monte by the Candelaria Municipal Police Station (MPS) stated that Jerico Esquera, resident of Barangay Masin Sur, made the discovery while cleaning the comfort room at around 10 p.m. on Thursday.
A team from the Candelaria MPS was immediately dispatched to the scene. They found the suspicious parcel still in the trash bin.
"The Quezon police force is thankful for the prompt and accurate moves of the management of Mang Inasal when they discovered the contraband in their establishment. This proves our effective campaign of soliciting the people's assistance in keeping their communities safe," Monte stated.
The recovered transparent heat sealed plastic package yielded 511.5 grams of suspected shabu, with Dangerous Drugs Board value of PHP3,478,200, and an estimated street value of PHP10,434,600, according to police.
Investigators surmised that the drug dealers were probably frightened by policemen patrolling the area prompting them to abandon the contraband rather than get caught.
The recovered suspected shabu was brought to Quezon Provincial Forensic Unit (QPFU) for laboratory examination while Candelaria MPS investigators are now reviewing the closed circuit television footage provided by the restaurant management. (PNA)
