Southern Leyte, Philippines — Authorities seized 57 kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at approximately PHP 387.6 million, during a K9 inspection at Liloan Port, Brgy. San Roque, Southern Leyte, in the early hours of November 8, 2024.
Personnel from the Liloan Municipal Police Station, Maritime Police, Philippine Ports Authority-Liloan, Philippine Coast Guard-Liloan, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region VIII’s Seaport Interdiction Unit conducted the operation. The inspection took place around 1:50 a.m. as vehicles were being unloaded from a fast craft arriving from Surigao City.
The K9 unit detected 57 tea bags of suspected shabu concealed within a Montero SUV with the license plate GAJ 2882. The vehicle is reportedly registered to Catherine Arienza, while the driver, identified as Benzar Mamalinta, managed to evade capture.
A smartphone was also found in the vehicle, which authorities are analyzing to track potential connections. According to Liloan Police Major Gilbano, initial investigations suggest that the drugs were intended for further distribution within Southern Leyte.
Benzar Mamalinta will face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as authorities continue investigating the source and intended destination of the illegal drugs.
