Mother, son yield P170-M shabu in Cebu

CEBU CITY — Authorities arrested a mother and her son at Pier 4 in Cebu City early Thursday morning after discovering suspected shabu worth P170 million inside their vehicle.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Central Visayas (PDEA-7), with the help of the Naval Forces Central and other law enforcement units, apprehended truck driver Edward Roche Loga, 41, from Isabel, Leyte, and his mother, Edna Roche Loga, 63, from Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

INTERCEPTED DRUGS Authorities, with the help of a ‘Bayani’ (a Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics operation), discovered 25 kilograms of shabu worth P170 million which a mother and her son-driver transported to Pier 4 in Cebu City on Jan. 23, 2025. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The two had just arrived from Masbate when they attempted to bypass a routine K9 inspection of passengers disembarking at the port.

However, "Bayani," a Belgian Malinois trained for narcotics detection, flagged a suspicious brown carton box in their vehicle.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered 25 kilograms of shabu, hidden inside a garbage bag.

PDEA-7 Director Alex Tablate confirmed that laboratory tests verified the confiscated substance, valued at an estimated P170 million.

The suspects claimed they were unaware of the package's contents.

Edward explained that an unidentified individual had paid him P20,000 to transport the vehicle from Alabang, Muntinlupa, to Masbate, where it was then shipped to Cebu.

Tablate shared that investigators are conducting a backtracking operation to determine the origin of the shipment and identify the suppliers.

While detailed information remains unavailable, he said the possibility of the drugs coming from a new or revived supplier is being considered.

BGen. Redrico Maranan of the Police Regional Office – Central Visayas pointed out that large-scale drug operations often rely on sophisticated logistics, suspecting the involvement of a broader drug syndicate.

Cebu City Police chief Col. Enrico Figueroa underscored the significance of the operation, emphasizing that preventing 25 kilograms of illegal drugs from reaching the streets has protected many individuals, particularly the youth.

The suspects are detained at the PDEA-7 facility.

Authorities are preparing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the drugs and the syndicate involved.