Philippine police seize vanload of suspected meth, arrest 5 alleged syndicate members

8/11/2013

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police say antinarcotics agents have seized about 882 pounds of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride and arrested five members of a syndicate in the largest haul of the illegal drug in the country so far this year.

Police Senior Superintendent Bartolome Tobias says five men were arrested today while loading the meth, concealed in two carton boxes and 22 bags, into a van in a residential enclave in Subic town in Zambales province, northwest of Manila.

If all the suspected drugs, known locally as shabu, turn out to be real, it will have a Manila street value of about $46 million, police said.

Illegal drug production in the Philippines carries a maximum prison term of 40 years.