The Eastern Police District-District Drug Enforcement Agency (EPD-DDEU) seized at least P700,000 worth of illegal drugs from five suspected drug pushers including a high value target following two days of buy-bust operations in Pasig City.

PMajor Darwin Guerrero, DDEU chief, said the series of operations were based on the directive EPD director PBGen. Orlando Yebra Jr. to intensify the anti-illegal drug campaign in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

On Thursday, suspects Evangeline Lozada, 48; Melchor Caneda, 29; and Christopher De Guzman, 45, all residents of Bgy. Rosario, Pasig City, were nabbed at No 66. Rosario Village, Bgy. Sta, Lucia.

Guerrero said at around 5:15 p.m., teams of DDEU conducted a buy-bust based on information that the trio are actively involved in peddling drugs in the city.

An undercover agent transacted with the suspects and agreed to meet in the area. The police buyer bought plastic sachets of suspected shabu from the suspects. After the suspects received the marked money, they were immediately nabbed by policemen.

Police seized at least 11 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 57.6 grams with estimated value of P391,680.

On Tuesday, DDEU seized shabu from a high-value target (HVT) drug personality of the EPD and another drug personality.

Suspect Michael Aurilla, 32, was nabbed inside his house at No. 10593 Phase 2, Block 7, Ilugin, Bgy. Pinagbuhatan at around 3:45 p.m.

Aurilla is listed as EPD’s HVT priority rank 9 on illegal drugs.

Police said they recovered 37 grams of suspected shabu from Aurilla with an estimated street value of P251,600.

Authorities said that Aurilla can dispose around 50 grams of shabu per week.

Six hours later, suspect Jonathan Matthew Mangulab, 27, decal installer and resident of Blk 72, Lot 12, Kaayusan St., Bgy. Manggahan, Pasig City, was collared in OJN Bldg. Kaginhawaan St., Bgy. Manggahan at around 9 p.m.

Recovered from Mangulab were two sachets of suspected shabu weighing 10.12 grams with estimated value of P68,816.

Guerrero said the suspect also yielded a plastic of dried leaves of marijuana weighing 64.58 grams amounting to P7,749.

The five suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.