STORY: ELMER RECUERDO
PHOTOS: PNP - San Isidro, Northern Samar
PHOTOS: PNP - San Isidro, Northern Samar
The Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas said laboratory tests on two plastic bags of suspicious substance found in an abandoned house in San Isidro, Northern Samar turned out to be shabu and not potassium alum or "tawas" as it was earlier believed.
PRO8, in a statement on Thursday said, that San Isidro Municipal Police Station, after a thorough investigation, confirmed the substance was indeed the prohibited drug.
The substance was contained in two plastic bags that two farmers turned over to San Isidro MPS, which eventually led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of suspected drugs in the abandoned hut on July 14, 2024.
PRO8, in a statement on Thursday said, that San Isidro Municipal Police Station, after a thorough investigation, confirmed the substance was indeed the prohibited drug.
The substance was contained in two plastic bags that two farmers turned over to San Isidro MPS, which eventually led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of suspected drugs in the abandoned hut on July 14, 2024.
The chemistry report of the Samar Forensic Unit last 16 July said the recovered substance tested positive as methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, weighing 8.138 kilograms with a value of P57+ million.
Investigators said the abandoned hut belongs to a certain "Jaime" and his family, who relocated to the mountainous part of the barangay. They also found that the son of the hut's owner, a 17-year-old student, and his friend had found a box containing the substance near the national road in April 2024.
The students mistook it for potassium alum or "tawas" and stored it in their former residence, now the abandoned hut. The substances remained hidden in a sack of charcoal even after the family moved to a new house.
Investigators said the abandoned hut belongs to a certain "Jaime" and his family, who relocated to the mountainous part of the barangay. They also found that the son of the hut's owner, a 17-year-old student, and his friend had found a box containing the substance near the national road in April 2024.
The students mistook it for potassium alum or "tawas" and stored it in their former residence, now the abandoned hut. The substances remained hidden in a sack of charcoal even after the family moved to a new house.
San Isidro police chief PLt. Millen Charles Vincent Reyes recommended a further investigation on the case.
"Given the magnitude of this drug haul and its implications, an extended investigation will provide clarity on the network behind this operation and prevent such incidents in the future," he said.
San Isidro MPS also urges a coordinated effort involving the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), other governmental agencies, and stakeholders to assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the abandoned shabu.
"The San Isidro MPS, together with the local government, remains committed to eradicating the presence of dangerous drugs in the community. Our collective efforts will significantly contribute to dismantling illegal drug networks, ensuring the safety and welfare of our community," he added.(CJ/jmm/ER)
"Given the magnitude of this drug haul and its implications, an extended investigation will provide clarity on the network behind this operation and prevent such incidents in the future," he said.
San Isidro MPS also urges a coordinated effort involving the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), other governmental agencies, and stakeholders to assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the abandoned shabu.
"The San Isidro MPS, together with the local government, remains committed to eradicating the presence of dangerous drugs in the community. Our collective efforts will significantly contribute to dismantling illegal drug networks, ensuring the safety and welfare of our community," he added.(CJ/jmm/ER)
