Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jan 2005
Source: Freeman, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 The Freeman
Contact:  http://www.thefreeman.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3437
Author: Ryan P. Borinaga
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

VOLUME OF SHABU SEIZED IN CEBU CITY DROPS IN '04

The volume of shabu seized in the city last year has significantly 
decreased compared to the previous year, according to records at the police 
operations section.

Police authorities recovered about 1267.53 grams of shabu last year, short 
of 299.56 grams from the 1566.09 grams seized in 2003.

Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch Chief Paul Labra defended 
the low shabu volume seized in 2004, saying this was due to the scarcity of 
supply in the market.

Labra said the decrease in shabu stocks followed the discovery of a huge 
shabu laboratory in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City in September but admitted 
there was no concrete link that this was really the reason of the low drug 
supply.

In late November, intelligence operatives had bared that prices of shabu 
have skyrocketed because of the low supply.

According to them, five grams of shabu that used to be sold only at P8,000 
had tripled to P24,000 late last year. Street pushing became very expensive 
also as a shabu sachet, which was sold only at P100, ballooned to P300.

Records also showed that in 2003, at least 20 pieces of ecstasy were 
recovered while there was none last year.

About 855 stalks and 25 sticks of marijuana were recovered in 2004 while at 
least 36 stalks and 81 sticks of the prohibited plant were seized in 2003. 
At least 15 and 13 pieces of nubain were recovered in 2004 and 2003 
respectively.
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