Lawyer, companion held for P1.37 million shabu

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer and his companion were arrested after they were allegedly caught with 202 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu valued at P1.37 million in a sting in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Quezon City Police District director, said lawyer Camilo Montesa IV, 57, and Maria Victoria Balajadia, 39, were apprehended by anti-narcotics officers along Masigla street in Barangay Central at around 5:25 p.m.

The suspects, whom Maranan said are included in the police Directorate for Intelligence drug watchlist, met with a police officer posing as a drug buyer who negotiated a deal for P81,000 worth of shabu.

After they accepted the marked money, the suspects were handcuffed.

Aside from the illegal drugs, a weighing scale and a cell phone were confiscated from the suspects, who are being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

A police official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Montesa used to work for a government agency.

“Nobody dared to arrest him given his background,” the source said.

Montesa is a son of a former judge and has a child who is also a lawyer, according to police.

P.7 million shabu seized in Pasay

Anti-narcotics operatives seized over 109 grams of shabu valued at P740,000 in a sting in Pasay City yesterday.

In a report, the Southern Police District (SPD) said the illegal drugs were confiscated from Michael Peralta, 37, who was arrested along Roxas Boulevard in Barangay 76 at around 12:30 p.m.

Aside from the illegal drugs, also confiscated from the suspect were his cell phone and motorcycle, the SPD added.

Peralta is being held at the custodial facility of the Pasay police and faces drug-related charges.